§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals she has to prevent increased epidemic disease in livestock; what warnings she has received from the British Veterinary Association of the threat of corridors of diseases from eastern Europe; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Government consider the maintenance of this country's high animal health to be a matter of the utmost importance.
Ministry veterinary officials maintain close links with the British Veterinary Association and are aware of the concerns in relation to the introduction of disease by animals imported into the Community from eastern Europe. We are taking a number of measures to help prevent the introduction and spread of disease by imported farm livestock and equine animals. These are set out in my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence) on 1 December 1993, Official Report, column 590. Such measures are kept under constant review and the level of checks are intensified in the light of perceived disease risks.