§ Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present incidence of ulcerative dermal necrosis among fresh water fish.
§ Mr. PriorNearly all the important salmon and trout rivers in England and Wales continue to be affected by ulcerative dermal necrosis, although the incidence of the disease has varied in different parts of the country. Southern England has only suffered isolated and minor outbreaks. The incidence of the disease also fluctuates from one year to another and it is not now as heavy as when it was first seen in our rivers in 1966–67. I am also glad to say that there appears to have been a steady fall in fish disease from this cause in southwest Wales and parts of northern England.