THE EARL OF HARROWBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose to place atrophic rhinitis in the same category as foot-and-mouth disease, so that specialist pig producers can be compulsorily prevented from marketing their animals during an epidemic.
EARL FERRERSFoot-and-mouth disease and atrophic rhinitis cannot be placed in the same category. Foot-and-mouth disease, which is very highly infectious, is exotic to Great Britain. When it occurs we operate a stamping-out policy, and this necessitates restrictions on movement and marketing of cattle, sheep, goats, other ruminants and all pigs, including pigs of specialist producers. Atrophic rhinitis is not an epidemic disease but a persistent condition found in pigs in this country. The measures taken against foot-and-mouth disease would not be appropriate and it can best be controlled by suitable management.
House adjourned at twenty-four minutes before eight o'clock.