§ Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans that whirling disease should cease to be a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Fish Act 1937; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo. A total of 40 cases of whirling disease have now been confirmed in England and Wales since the outbreak was first detected. However, a survey undertaken by my fish diseases laboratory, Weymouth, has provided clear evidence that the disease is not naturally and widely established in this country. It is therefore in the interests of the whole fish farming industry that the disease be eliminated in order to uphold our fish health status. The disease can be eradicated in fish farms by disinfection, and my fisheries scientists are available to give advice on satisfactory methods. I am glad to say that in two cases we have already been able to lift movement restrictions following disinfection and that disinfection is currently in progress on other farms.