HC Deb 14 November 2001 vol 374 cc814-6W
Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the percentage of FMD cases where transmission of the disease was(a) from animal to animal, (b) airborne, (c) from contact with persons who had handled infected animals, (d) from contact with persons who had no contact with infected animals and (e) due to other causes. [12293]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 2 November 2001]: Investigations into the epidemiology of the outbreak are continuing and a number of publications are planned. The following interim results are minimum estimates for the single cause of infection.

Number

of cases

 Percentag

of cases
(a) Animal to animal 92 4.5
(b) Airborne 18 0.9
(c) and (d) Personal contact 73 3.6
(e) Other causes1 1,840 90.9
Total 2,023 —
1See breakdown in following table

Breakdown of (e) 'other causes'
Number

of cases

 Percentage

of cases
Local transmission 1,587 78.4
Dairy tanker 13 0.6
Other fomite 12 0.6
Other vehicles 29 1.4
Under investigation 199 9.9

Notes:

1. Figures do not distinguish between those persons who handled infected animals and those who did not.

2. Many infected premises had multiple possible sources of infection. If investigations reveal that there was more than one potential source within the appropriate time frame and the case falls within 3 kilometres of an earlier premises, the cause is recorded as 'local' transmission.

3. A fomite is defined as any inanimate object capable of carrying the virus.

Diana Organ

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what differences there are between the guidance given to Herefordshire council about grants to assist businesses affected by foot and mouth disease and that issued to Business Link and the Forest of Dean council and to Gloucestershire council. [6468]

Alun Michael

Within the guidelines it was left to individual regional development agencies to decide how to manage and prioritise the assistance given. Officials have looked at the way this has been dealt with by south-west regional development agency and Advantage West Midlands and are satisfied that although differing in detail both are consistent with the guidelines. I will write to my hon. Friend with further details.

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of jobs lost in the agricultural sector as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. [7749]

Alun Michael

The Department does not have statistics which could accurately reflect any job losses in the agricultural sector resulting from foot and mouth disease. As part of our efforts to properly interpret the social and economic impact on rural areas we are currently running a telephone survey of a sample of farmers who have been directly or indirectly affected by foot and mouth disease. This survey includes questions relating to the employment effects of the outbreak.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what requirements farms must comply with in order to qualify for(a) cleansing and (b) restocking following a foot and mouth outbreak; [8147]

(2) if she will make a statement on her policy on (a) cleansing and (b) restocking of farms infected by foot and mouth; [8146]

(3) if she will make a statement on how the restocking procedure following the foot and mouth outbreak will be implemented and the criteria governing this programme. [8153]

Mr. Morley

Cleansing and disinfection and restocking are key stages in the FMD eradication process.

Our policy is to ensure that cleansing and disinfection is carried out thoroughly and efficiently while at the same time ensuring the best use of public funds. Preliminary cleansing and disinfection (C and D) is carried out during the slaughter and disposal stage on all premises known, or believed to be contaminated with foot and mouth disease in order to minimise the risk of the virus spreading to neighbouring farms. Twenty-four hours after this stage has been completed, secondary C and D can commence, the purpose of which is to reduce the risk of recrudescence and allow for restocking. Restocking can commence once the farmer has a certificate stating the C and D has been satisfactorily completed.

The Department will normally pay the costs of secondary C and D providing farms are (a) in a reasonable state of cleanliness and repair, (b) there are no health and safety implications for those involved in the cleansing operation and (c) that the costs incurred are proportionate to the individual farm situation. Since 5 August, contractual arrangements have been tightened and farmers encouraged to undertake secondary C and D themselves, wherever possible.

Restocking must be accomplished in such a way as to balance the needs of the livestock industry and the veterinary and scientific advice as to the disease control risks involved in this process. The key elements of our restocking policy are as follows: Secondary C and D must take place and a period of 21 days allowed to elapse prior to restocking. If secondary C and D does not take place, a period of 12 months must elapse prior to restocking. Movements of stock on to the farm must be licensed by DEFRA. The numbers of livestock permitted for initial restocking must be set out in the premises restocking plan, which must be approved by the divisional veterinary manager. Depending on the origin of sheep, testing of the flock of origin and all the sheep to be moved may be required. This will give valuable surveillance data on the prevalence of disease in the national flock. Animals are to be inspected regularly for four weeks. Sheep and goats will be blood tested after 28 days. If all clear, restrictions can be lifted.

Further advice on restocking is available to farmers on the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/.