Sir A. Hardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, following his consultations with the county councils, he has reviewed the operation of the sheep-dipping regulations made under the Sheep Scab Order; and if he will make a statement.
235W
§ Mr. SoamesThere have been discussions recently with representatives of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales, the Association of County Councils, the Association of Municipal Corporations, and the National Sheep Breeders' Association on the regulations at present in force for preventing sheep scab in this country.
Sheep scab was once a serious problem, but largely as a result of regular dipping, movement controls and the introduction of modern single dipping type dips, it has now disappeared, except for occasional animals found at ports of entry. No case has been reported since 1952. All sheep entering Great Britain from whatever source have to be dipped before leaving the landing place and any showing signs of disease are immediately slaughtered.
The Sheep Scab Order, 1938, enables the Minister to detain affected sheep and their contacts, to place restrictions on the movement of all sheep within any given area, and to require them to be dipped in accordance with specified rules. The Order also enables local authorities with powers under the Diseases of Animals Act to make regulations for the dipping of sheep to prevent the introduction or the spreading of scab. At present 44 of the 62 County Councils in England and Wales and rather fewer than half of the boroughs have such regulations. The majority view expressed by the organisations during the discussions is in favour of continuing these regulations.
A suggestion was also made that the powers of the Order should be extended to include the control of external parasites.
I have now considered these views. The control of external parasites is a matter of good husbandry. The Diseases of Animals Act does not confer powers to make regulations in the interests of good husbandry and the control of external parasites cannot therefore be a reason for continuing or extending the local dipping regulations. Nor is it considered that, after such a long period of freedom from sheep scab, local dipping regulations are necessary as a precaution against this disease. On the other hand, it would be wise for the time being to keep the power in reserve. But since there is no justification at present for the use of this power by local authorities, 236W I am asking those which have not already done so to consider revoking their existing regulations.