§ 53. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the serious risk of fowl pest being introduced through eggs imported from countries where the disease is endemic; and how many outbreaks of fowl pest have originated in this way.
Mr. T. WilliamsI am advised that the risk is negligible unless the eggs are used for hatching. This is in general prohibited in the case of eggs imported from countries where fowl pest is endemic, and my Department has recently reminded poultry keepers of the position and of the risks of attempting to rear stock from eggs imported for human consumption. No outbreak of fowl pest in this country has been attributed to imported eggs.
§ 54. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Agriculture when the last case of fowl pest was confirmed in Norfolk; and if the disease is now definitely under control throughout the country generally.
Mr. T. WilliamsThe last outbreak in Norfolk was yesterday. A number of outbreaks of the less acute type of the disease are still occurring, and I cannot yet say that the disease is under control throughout the country.