§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement outlining the progress and intended progress of his brucellosis eradication scheme area by area; and whether he will speed up the programme in view of existing dangers to health.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellAt 31st October 1972. 18,160 herds were taking part in the voluntary brucellosis schemes, representing 63 per cent. of the total number of eligible herds in Scotland; 12,765 of these herds were accredited.
This progress has enabled a worthwhile start to be made with compulsory eradication, which is now proceeding in the counties of Argyll, Bute, Shetland, Dunbarton, Renfrew and Stirling, in the North Isles of Orkney and in Western Ross and Cromarty and Western Inverness. On 1st July 1973, compulsory eradication will be extended to the counties of Caithness, Sutherland and Nairn and the remainder of Ross and Cromarty and Inverness; and on 1st November 1973, to the mainland of Orkney and the County of Ayr.
243WI am at present considering the programme for further progress. We will proceed as quickly as resources allow.