§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 15 June,Official Report, column 482, what steps she is taking to stop the spread of equine viral arteritis by casual contact including aerial transmission; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Soames[pursuant to the reply, 25 June 1993, c. 327–28]: I am pleased to announce that the outstanding quality points identified by the Veterinary Products Committee at its meeting on 24 June in respect of an application for an inactivated equine viral arteritis vaccine, have since been resolved and an animal test certificate now granted. The first batch of the product is currently undergoing final testing before clearance for use.
The animal test trial design is based on the current geographical spread of the disease and the known epidemiology of the infection. The vaccine will therefore be made available through veterinary surgeons on application to the certificate holder, for use in stallions in England, and in mares in those counties of England where there is a recognised risk of infection. Premises where vaccine is to be used will be notified to the licensing authority.