§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was; the origin, and when was the importation, of the consignment of South American ox kidneys or other meat which was authorised for distribution last week in shops in Norwich but not in Norfolk; why such distinction was made; whether foot-and-mouth disease is endemic in the country of origin; whether tests were carried out; and what is the risk of its being infected with foot-and-mouth disease.
§ Mr. PeartI have no particular information about the individual consignment to which the hon. Member refers. Following my announcement of the partial lifting of the temporary ban on imported meat, 169W licences have been issued for the movement out of cold stores of meat and offals ether than mutton and lamb and sheep offals, and under an understanding with the trade the distribution has been principally confined to urban areas.
It is not possible to determine with certainty whether foot-and-mouth disease virus is or is not present in consignments of meat from countries in which the disease is endemic.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in his researches into the causes of the foot-and-mouth disease, what investigations were made into the record of immunity of countries which have imposed a permanent ban on imports of all meats from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is endemic; and if he will list these countries.
§ Mr. PeartI have no complete list of the countries which refuse imports from those where foot-and-mouth disease is endemic, but at least the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland take this line. In fact, the latter three countries import no meat at all.
The United States of America has long been free and the only outbreak in Canada in recent years was in 1952. Australia and New Zealand have always remained clear, and the last outbreak in Ireland occurred in 1941.
§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that before the first meeting of the Northumberland Committee Press photographers were refused entry; that they afterwards refused to say when they would meet again, how often they would meet and whether they would meet in public; and whether he will instruct the Committee that the widest publicity should be given to their work so that persons can be encouraged to give all the evidence possible.
§ Mr. PeartThe Committee which I appointed under the Duke of Northumberland, to inquire into our policy and arrangements for dealing with foot-and-mouth disease is an independent Committee of Inquiry. It is therefore a matter for that Committee to decide on its own public relations.