HC Deb 26 November 2001 vol 375 cc692-3W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what was the average time taken between the initial identification of positive cases of foot and mouth disease and(a) disinfection of carcases and (b) disposal of carcases in each month from February to October. [11739]

Margaret Beckett

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: The table provided shows average times from the initial report of potential foot and mouth disease to disposal. Information on disinfection of carcases is not available as the initial cleansing and disinfection relates to the whole premises.

Month Average time taken (hours)
February 201
March 135
April 93
May 93
June 45
July 36
August 83
September 26
Average 105

Source:

DEFRA Disease Control System Database as at 17:30 30 October 2001. Figures subject to revision as more data become available.

Lembit Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risks of spreading foot and mouth disease associated with(a) fox hunting with dogs, (b) riding a horse, (c) walking a dog and (d) rambling; and if she will make a statement. [14402]

Alun Michael

A full list of Veterinary Risk Assessments relating to foot and mouth disease can be found on the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/disease/risks/index/htm. No. 4 deals with opening footpaths to the public; No. 10 deals with Horse Race meetings; No. 12 deals with specified equestrian events; No. 14 deals with official equestrian events and non agricultural land, and No. 26 covers activities relating to hunting with dogs.

Information is also available to advise dog owners how they can guard against spreading foot and mouth disease. This can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/about/animals/dogs.asp.

I have placed a printed copy of this information in the Library of the House of Commons.