HC Deb 09 December 1963 vol 686 cc9-10W
57. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of fowl pest have been reported in the past three months; which parts of the country have been most affected; and if he is satisfied that the present type of vaccine approved by his Department is proving effective in reducing the incidence of this disease.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

In September, October and November, 746 outbreaks of fowl pest were confirmed in England and Wales. 429 of these—well over half the total—occurred in Lancashire and there were 76 in adjoining areas in the West Riding of Yorkshire; a further 164 outbreaks occurred in Norfolk and East Suffolk.

The dead vaccine at present in use is so far achieving a reasonable control of the disease, considering the relatively poor vaccination coverage attained and the fact that we always get a lot of fowl pest at this time of the year. The disease has not so for spread about the country to the same extent as it did in the autumn and winter in the latter years of the slaughter policy.

Better control could be achieved if a higher proportion of the national flock were protected.