§ 68. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has received that the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in coastal districts were caused by starlings or other birds migrating from the Continent.
§ Mr. NugentThere are several factors which suggest that the recent outbreaks in coastal districts may be connected with the movement of birds from the Continent. The affected areas are on routes taken by birds in migration; all the primary cases arose in cattle grazing in the fields; the virus found is of a type common on the Continent and different from that found in other recent outbreaks in this country; and careful inquiries into other possible origins have proved negative. Large flocks of starlings were seen on one of the farms a few days before disease was confirmed.