HC Deb 22 March 1974 vol 870 cc175-6W
Mr. Beith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many new applications to join the brucellosis eradication scheme have been received during the last six months in the county of Northumberland; and whether the number of such applications is increasing or decreasing.

Mr. Buchan

69 new applications to join the brucellosis incentives scheme in Northumberland were received during the six months ending 28th February 1974 compared with 70 in the previous six months and 169 in the six months before that.

Mr. Beith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many breakdowns have occurred in herds participating in the brucellosis eradication scheme in the county of Northumberland during the last six months; and by how much the proportion of breakdowns exceeds or falls short of the average for the whole of England.

Mr. Buchan

Breakdowns have occurred in 29 accredited herds participating in the brucellosis scheme in Northumberland during the last six months.

The breakdown rate for Northumberland for 1973 is approximately double the average breakdown rate for the whole of England for the same period.

Mr. Beith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many withdrawals there have been from the brucellosis eradication scheme in the county of Northumberland during the last six months; and by how much the proportion of withdrawals exceeds or falls short of the average for the whole of England.

Mr. Buchan

There have been 28 withdrawals from the brucellosis schemes in Northumberland during the last six months. The withdrawal rate for Northumberland is more than double the average withdrawal rate for the whole of England for the same period.

Mr. Beith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the level of incentive payments under the brucellosis eradication scheme is sufficient to ensure its continued operation.

Mr. Buchan

Yes. Applications under the brucellosis incentives scheme are running at a lower rate than in earlier years but this largely reflects the progress already made and I do not consider that an increase in the level of incentives is necessary at this stage.