§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if any of the birds involved in the recent outbreak of Newcastle disease had been given the vaccine prior to contamination; and if he will make a statement. [13606]
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 31 January 1997]: None of the birds involved in the recent outbreak of Newcastle disease in Northern Ireland had been given vaccine prior to becoming infected with the disease.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of(a) chickens and (b) turkeys on farms in Northern Ireland are currently vaccinated against Newcastle disease; and if he will make a statement. [13603]
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 31 January 1997]: Vaccination of poultry against Newcastle disease is normally prohibited in Northern Ireland.
Following an outbreak of the disease on a broiler production unit near Lurgan, County Armagh on 7 February 1997, ring vaccination has been carried out by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland within a 10 km zone of the infected premises: 52,000 chickens-0.35 per cent. of chickens in Northern Ireland-and 2,000 turkeys-0.50 per cent. of turkeys on farms in Northern Ireland-were vaccinated.