HC Deb 22 January 1953 vol 510 cc52-3W
67. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases and the number of animals and birds involved where compensation was payable for any form of notifiable disease during 1952; and what was the total compensation paid in each variety.

Sir T. Dugdale

The following is the information:

by imported meat and bone meal; and what steps are being taken to prevent the further importation of any such fertiliser which may be a source of infection.

Sir T. Dugdale

There were 382 and 730 cases involving cattle in 1951 and 1952, respectively. Anthrax in this country is mainly caused by the use in feedingstuffs and fertilisers of contaminated imported materials. It is seldom practicable to identify the particular ingredients responsible, but there is little doubt that imported animal products, such as bone meal, are a fairly common source of infection. As a first step my Department is now discussing with the appropriate trade associations further measures to reduce the risk from this source. Until these discussions have been concluded, I should be reluctant to take any action which might substantially reduce the quantities of feedingstuffs and fertilisers available in this country.

72. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent vaccine against anthrax, developed by his Department's research laboratory at Weybridge, is now being used in this country; and with what results.

Sir T. Dugdale

An effective vaccine against anthrax has been used for a number of years under the supervision of my veterinary staff, but only for animals known to be exposed to a particular risk of infection. During 1952, vaccine sufficient to vaccinate about 13,000 cattle or twice as many pigs was issued. The vaccine has now been made available generally to veterinary surgeons for use at their discretion, but it is too early to say to what extent its use will increase under the new arrangements. Generally, the vaccine has given good results.

Back to
Forward to