§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement as to the progress being made in England to increase the proportion of brucellosis-free herds; and whether further measures are needed to increase the proportion of such herds.
§ Mr. WigginBy the end of May 1980 nearly 95 per cent. of herds in England were brucellosis-accredited. Compulsory measures were applied to the remaining areas of the country on 1 November last. Progress in eliminating the disease is marked by the extension of the attested areas where effectively all the herds are accredited. Full coverage of the country should be completed before the end of the next year. I do not envisage the introduction of additional measures to accelerate the programme.