§ Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the warning given by the chief veterinary officer on 4th May, 1945, of the danger of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occurring on the premises of butchers distributing South American meat, what action he proposes to take to prevent the continuance of this danger.
Mr. WilliamsThe only practicable way in which the danger mentioned in the hon. and gallant Member's Question can be reduced is by observance and enforcement of the existing regulations. Every effort to secure stricter enforcement has been and is being made, and with some apparent success. There have been only two outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease so far this year on butchers' premises, and three others that may in some way be associated with butchers.
§ Mr. Raikesasked the Minister of Agriculture how many cattle were destroyed because of foot-and-mouth disease in the last three years; and what proportion were dairy cattle.
Mr. WilliamsSince 1st October, 1942, 16,197 cattle have been slaughtered in Great Britain because of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. It is estimated that about 50 per cent. of these were dairy cattle.