§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Office will make a decision on whether to license the drugs cypermethrin and ivermectin for the general treatment of sea lice in farmed salmon. [14897]
§ Mr. Chisholm[holding answer 12 November 1997]: Authorisation of veterinary medicines such as cypermethrin and ivermectin is a matter for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Requisite discharge consents enabling the use of ivermectin have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in a number of cases. Further use of this substance has been requested and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering whether to exercise his power of call-in under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
657W
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the financial impact of the lack of a suitable treatment for sea lice on the Scottish salmon farming industry; and what assessment he has made of the welfare implications of sea lice eating farmed salmon. [14803]
§ Mr. Chisholm[holding answer 12 November 1997]: The cost to the industry of dealing with the problem of sea lice has been estimated to be of the order of £20 million to £30 million per annum. It is a major issue and one which, for welfare as well as economic reasons, requires a variety of solutions, not just medicinal ones. My officials continue to discuss the matter with industry representatives.
England 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 A. Total number of leg amputation (OPCS4R:X09) 6,403 6,504 6,813 6,842 6,890 6,679 B. Leg amputation with a primary diagnosis of gangrene (ICD9:785.5) (include in A above) 761 714 667 738 684 553 C. Leg amputations with gangrence mentioned as a secontary diagnosis (ICD9:785.5) include in A above) 1,268 1,141 1,260 1,249 1,286 1,265 Source:
Hospital Episode Statistics.
Currently the cost of this Procedure is not collected centrally and therefore an average cost is unavailable.
Question relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, For Wales and for Northern Ireland respectively.