HC Deb 12 June 1990 vol 174 cc77-8W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries where caseous lymphadenitis is found.

Mr. Gummer

Caseous lymphadenitis is known to occur in many parts of Africa, south America, Asia, Europe, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of(a) sheep and (b) goats affected by restrictions for caseous lymphadenitis by county.

Mr. Gummer

Restrictions are at present imposed on(a) one flock in Buckinghamshire and one consignment undergoing post import on-farm isolation in Nottinghamshire (b) two herds in Buckinghamshire, two herds in Oxfordshire, and one herd each in Berkshire, Surrey and Lancashire. The flock of sheep in Buckinghamshire and one of the two goat herds in Buckinghamshire are on the same premises and subject to the same restriction notice.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which country the current outbreak of caseous lymphadenitis originated; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

The current outbreak of caseous lymphadenitis appears to be associated with the import of goats from West Germany.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to prevent further cases of caseous lymphadenitis from being imported into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

We continue to rely on certification by exporting countries that sheep and goats sent to the United Kingdom come from premises which are free from caseous lymphadenitis and the herd of origin has shown no clinical serological or pathological signs of the disease in the previous three years. Animals should also be examined immediately prior to export. Ministry veterinary officers, local veterinary surgeons and producers have been asked to be vigilant for any signs of the disease and have found infection in April in a group of sheep which were undergoing post import on-farm isolation.