§ Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he is giving to the threat from the disease cold water fibrosis in the light of substantial fatalities caused to the salmon stocks of Norway.
§ Mr. GummerI am aware that this disease, also known as hitra disease, has affected some salmon farms in Norway, with high mortalities in certain cases, particularly where there has been poor husbandry or adverse conditions. However, there is no immediate cause for concern for either farmed or wild salmon stocks in Great Britain. The Diseases of Fish Act 1937 prohibits the import of live salmon and trout to Great Britain, safeguarding against the most obvious risk of introducing diseases of salmonids. Scientists of the Fisheries Departments are in close touch with scientists in Norway about this disease and the matter is being kept under review.