HC Deb 23 December 1937 vol 330 cc2172-3W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider providing, at reasonable rates, coal tar and approved disinfectants for water troughs, streams, and ponds, in order that farmers in a standstill area may take such preventive steps as to limit the spread of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he will consider the issue of more stringent orders to prohibit movement in an increased area from a proved outbreak, and the total prohibition of persons, mounted or on foot, passing over agricultural land without permission?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

The addition of approved disinfectants to water troughs, streams and ponds, would be dangerous not only to stream and pond life, but also to animals drinking therefrom. I am satisfied that the restrictions imposed at present on the movement of persons and animals in areas declared to be foot-and-mouth disease infected areas are adequate for the purpose of preventing the spread of the disease and that the present policy as to the size of such areas does not require amendment in the way suggested.

Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that all necessary steps are taken to prevent hauliers of livestock by road moving out of a stand-still area in order to ply their trade elsewhere; is he aware that this practice is a certain way of spreading foot-and-mouth disease; and what steps are taken when a stand-still order is issued for the police to supervise the disinfecting and cleaning of all such vehicles with the same stringency as is now imposed on railway companies who are cleaning cattle trucks?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

The Orders which require vehicles used by road hauliers for the conveyance of livestock to be cleansed and disinfected are in essentials the same as the Orders relating to railway companies' vehicles, and there is no reason, as far as I am aware, for thinking that these Orders are not generally well enforced throughout the country by local authorities and the police. There is no evidence that empty vehicles moved out of a foot-and-mouth disease infected area have been responsible for spreading disease.