§ Viscount Lambtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the virus of foot-and-mouth disease are destroyed by fire; and in what circumstances the virus could be carried by smoke.
§ Mr. Peart:Burial is the method used, wherever possible, for the disposal of carcases of animals slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease. In some cases, because of the nature of the terrain, burial cannot be undertaken and burning is the only alternative. Where burning is carried out, the carcases are sprayed with soda solution which destroys the superficial 221W virus and then with diesel oil or paraffin before the fire is lit. The resulting rapid scorching of the external surfaces reduces to the minimum any remaining virus.
§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by international organisations such as the European Commission for control of foot-and-mouth disease and the Office Internationale des Epizootiés in reducing the incidence of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe and elsewhere; and what co-operation has been received from the governments of countries where the disease is endemic.
§ Mr. Peart:Both these bodies provide the opportunity for international veterinary information, discussion and advice upon animal disease control. It is not possible to assess the results in detail, but it is considered that their work has contributed materially to improved control, especially in Europe.
The interested governments co-operate closely with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Pan-American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Centre, and the United States Laboratory at Plum Island.
§ Sir J. Fosterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider turning the large stocks of foreign feedingstuffs held by dairy farmers, whose herds have been destroyed, into poultry and horse feed so as to avoid a total loss of these stocks.
§ Mr. Hoy:No such total loss should occur since most ingredients of feed should keep for a considerable period if properly stored. Moreover, while feedingstuffs on infected premises which are subject to restrictions may not be moved off while the restrictions remain in force, except under special licence, farmers may thereafter normally dispose as they wish of any feedingstuffs which they do not anticipate being able to use themselves.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the present burden on the veterinary service arising from the foot-and-mouth epidemic, he will require that veterinary officers should be relieved of direct responsibility for supervising the slaughter of contact stock on infected farms.
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§ Mr. Peart:Veterinary supervision over an infected place is essential on disease grounds and veterinary supervision of the slaughter of animals on an infected place is highly desirable on humanitarian grounds. The detailed work following on the diagnosis of the disease has, subject to the general supervision of a veterinary officer, been frequently allotted in the present epidemic to lay members of my staff.
§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he is aware of the hardship caused to the hotel and tourist industries in areas such as the Lake District, where visitors have been discouraged from visiting the area due to the foot-and-mouth epidemic; and whether he will consider providing special assistance for them.
§ Mr. Peart:I do not doubt that hardship is being caused to hotel and tourist industries and to others in a number of areas as a result of the epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease and measures taken to combat it. I have every sympathy with those affected, but I regret that it would not be practicable for me to provide special assistance for them.