Foot-and-Mouth Disease

HC Deb 17 January 1967 vol 739 cc36-7W

Viscount Lambton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by which trains samples taken from animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease at Flotterton Farm on Monday, 18th July, were sent to Pirbright; and at what time and on what day they arrived at his Department's laboratory there.

Mr. Peart

Specimens from animals at Flotterton Hall Farm were despatched from Newcastle Central Station by passenger train at 1 a.m. on 19th July. They were received at the Pirbright Research Institute at 10.45 a.m. the same day.

Viscount Lambton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why all the bottles containing liquid in which samples were to be sent by veterinary officers of his Department were recalled for replacement after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Mr. Peart

To increase the margin of safety because some bottles received at Pirbright on 22nd July, although they gave positive results, were found to have a pH value below the optimum. The bottle received at Pirbright on 19th July had the normal pH value.