§ 103. Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the closing of pig markets in Norfolk is causing considerable difficulty and loss, especially to farmers who breed pigs for sale as stores; and whether he will modify the swine fever restrictions so as to permit the sale of store and other pigs which have been vaccinated against swine fever in a manner approved by him.
§ Mr. Godber: Myright hon. Friend regrets the hardship caused by infected area restrictions to store pig producers and others in central and eastern Norfolk. Vaccination properly done confers immunity from swine fever on healthy pigs not exposed to infection for 28 days before and 14 days after vaccination. Unfortunately these conditions are not always fulfilled; and apart from this, immune pigs may still carry contaminated material. The opening of markets in the infected area to vaccinated pigs would therefore involve a risk of spreading infection.