§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food where are the main foci in the United Kingdom of infection of dogs with the tapeworm echinococcus granulosus; and what is his estimate of the cost of treating dogs in these areas to ensure eradication of the infection.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe main focus of the tapeworm echinococcus granulosus infecting dogs in the United Kingdom is north Gwent, Powys and west Herefordshire. The cost of treating and eradicating the disease cannot be estimated until a survey is carried out, but that cannot be done until a reliable cost-effective diagnostic test becomes available.
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which 10 diseases of sheep in the United Kingdom cause the greatest economic losses to the agriculture industry; what is his Department's estimate of the loss caused to the agriculture industry by each disease; what significant changes he has predicted in the incidence of each of these diseases in the next 10 to 20 years; how much money the Government are spending on research and development on each of these diseases in the current financial year; and what action is being taken by the Government to inform farmers of the optimal way to control each of these diseases.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThis question can be answered only at disproportionate cost.