Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many poultry have been killed. and how many eggs have been destroyed, following the recent publicity about salmonella diseases since 1 December 1988; what has been the cost of compensation to producers in Northern Ireland; if the scheme for compensation is being continued; and if he will make a statement about the present state of the poultry and egg industries and their future prospects.
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§ Mr. ViggersUnder the Slaughter of Hens (Northern Ireland) Scheme and the Egg Industry (Northern Ireland) Scheme 50,663 hens have been slaughtered and 10,230,120 eggs had been destroyed in Northern Ireland up to 26 January at a compensation cost of £333,837. Slaughtering of hens has been completed. Eggs for which applications were submitted by 17 January, the closing date, are still being destroyed. The Government have no plans to extend either scheme.