Blue-Ear Disease (Hansard, 19 June 1991)

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pig weaners have been removed out of the farms restricted due to blue-ear disease; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gummer
No weaners have been moved off restricted farms.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pig buyers from(a) Holland and (b) Germany visited farms which are currently under restriction in the last three months; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gummer
On 25 April 1991, a party from the eastern part of Germany visited two of the premises now under restrictions imposed under precautions for dealing with blue-eared pig disease. The visitors, seven Germans and a Dutchman, had not been in contact with any pigs for at least a week prior to the visit and very strict hygiene standards were applied on their arrival, including a shower and changes of inner and outer clothing. In view of the precautions taken and the absence of the disease in the eastern part of Germany, this visit has been discounted as the origin of infection of blue-ear pig disease.