§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to the policy of a temporary ban on store pig markets as a means of eliminating swine vesicular disease; what assessment he has made of the hardships involved in any such ban; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangControlled area restrictions, which include a prohibition on the holding of store pig markets within the area, have been an effective means of controlling the spread of swine vesicular disease. Such restrictions do, however, create difficulties for the pig industry.
New regulations designed to minimise the spread of disease by improving controls over the movement and sale of pigs and at the same time to reduce the need for controlled area restrictions have been discussed with representatives of the pig 91W industry. It is hoped to introduce the new regulations shortly.