§ 50. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the recent order to dip sheep against sheep scab during the winter months, what compensation he is prepared to pay for those sheep or lambs which catch pneumonia, or ewes which give premature birth to still-born lambs.
§ Mr. StrangMy right hon. Friend has no power to pay compensation in connection with sheep scab. The dipping period, which applies to 21 counties in England, was initially 12th January to 8th May, but this has now been extended to 30th June to meet the practical difficulties of some farmers. Even so farmers are urged to dip their sheep as early in the period as possible in the interests of disease control.
Dipping should have no adverse effects on ewes in lamb, but as a matter of good husbandry it is advisable that all pregnant sheep should be handled as quietly and gently as possible during the dipping operation. Because young lambs are liable to "mislay" their mothers at dipping time it is not generally advisable to dip lambs under three to four weeks old.