§ Viscount Ridleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to prevent the salmon parasite gyrodactylus salaris from entering Britain from Scandinavia; and whether they think it is possible to prohibit the import of any material which could transport the parasite to Britain; for example by eggs for salmon farms or by fishing tackle and clothing used by anglers which has not been sterilised; and
Whether the threat to the salmon fishing industry posed by the salmon parasite gyrodactylus salaris is so serious as to warrant the maximum possible publicity to warn the country of the threat to the future of the industry.
§ Lord DonoughueThe Government are satisfied that existing fish health measures and associated publicity for gyrodactylus salaris have been effective in preventing the introduction of the parasite into Great Britain, despite its presence in parts of Europe for a number of years. The introduction into the British Isles of live salmon and trout, which pose the highest risk, is already prohibited. Salomonid eggs are made safe by disinfection before entering Great Britain. The risks of introducing gyrodactylus salaris through contaminated fishing tackle or clothing are low and do not warrant changes to legislation, but nonetheless we advise those fishing abroad to take precautions such as drying or disinfecting equipment to avoid the accidental spread of disease.