HL Deb 24 January 2005 vol 668 cc142-4WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have investigated, or propose to investigate, evidence submitted to Farmers Weekly that four dead sheep, burnt on the Waugh brothers' rubbish tip on or about 20 January 2001, originated from land next to Prestwick Hall Farm, Ponteland. [HL607]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)

A full investigation was carried out at the time because of the obvious epidemiological implications. No evidence whatsoever was found to support the claims of sheep (infected or otherwise) being dumped on Burnside Farm in January 2001.

Subsequent investigations indicate that it is possible that no more than two sheep carcases were delivered to Burnside Farm for burning sometime during November or December 2000. There is no evidence whatsoever to indicate that either of these carcases was infected with FMD virus. We remain satisfied that the conclusions of the report of the Origin of the UK Foot and Mouth Disease Epidemic in 2001, that was published in June 2002 and placed in the House Library, are sound.

The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Ben Bradshaw, on 13 December 2004 (HC Deb, 113WS) on the video filmed at Burnside farm and in the light of the evidence of Mr Waugh about sheep which were brought to his farm, hidden from the Government Veterinarian and subsequently disposed of by burning, whether an investigation should be held into the possibility that foot and mouth disease was introduced by such sheep and not spread from the farm. [HL633]

Lord Whitty

Defra vets became aware of Robert Waugh's allegation in early March 2001. A full investigation was carried out at the time because of the obvious epidemiological implications. No evidence whatever was found to support the claims of sheep (infected or otherwise) being dumped on Burnside Farm in January 2001.

Subsequent investigations indicate that it is possible that no more than two sheep carcases were delivered to Burnside Farm for burning sometime during November or December 2000. There is no evidence whatever to indicate that either of these carcases was infected with FMD virus. We remain satisfied that the conclusions of the report of the Origin of the UK Foot and Mouth Disease Epidemic in 2001, that was published in June 2002 and placed in the House library, are sound.