HC Deb 24 July 1963 vol 681 cc182-3W
91. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the lack of good hay made this summer, he has reviewed the restrictions on the importation of hay; and of which sources of supply he considers prohibition necessary on animal health grounds.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

As a precaution against the introduction of foot and mouth disease, hay may be imported only from certain countries, including the Irish Republic, Norway and Canada, from whom we have received supplies in the past. The import regulations were last revised as recently as 1961, but we are considering whether changes in the disease situation abroad justify any further revision of them, bearing in mind the over-riding importance of not endangering animal health.