§ Mr. GRANVILLEasked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the mistakes and delays of the present system, he will consider improving the machinery of inspection and certification of disease in pigs?
Mr. BUXTONI presume that the hon. Member refers particularly to swine fever. As this disease is caused by a virus which cannot be cultured, no bio logical tests are available with which to make a quick diagnosis. Therefore, until clinical symptoms and post-mortem lesions are well developed it is at present often impossible to make a diagnosis. For this reason the Veterinary Inspectors find it necessary to examine suspected pigs more than once in from 15–0 per cent. of the outbreaks. Improved methods, therefore, depend on further research, which it is the Government's intention actively to encourage.