Mr. J. Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what information has been given to poultry farmers about the difference between fowl pest and fowl plague; what compensation for the latter disease has been given in each year in the last 37 years; and how much is under review at present;
- (2) if there is any veterinary connection between fowl pest and fowl plague;
- (3) in which counties, and on how many holdings in each county, there have been outbreaks or reported out breaks of fowl plague.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThe term fowl pest includes two diseases caused by different viruses, Newcastle disease and fowl plague. The sub-acute form of Newcastle disease is that which has been present in this country in recent years and which we are now controlling by vaccination. The per-acute form of Newcastle disease has not been recorded in this country for the past 9 or 10 years.114W Fowl plague affects all domestic poultry, chickens and turkeys being most susceptible. Its effects are similar to those of per-acute Newcastle disease and is extremely virulent and nearly always fatal. Farmers are required to report to the Ministry any suspected case of fowl pest in any of its forms; they have been given no special instructions regarding fowl plague, but should be in no doubt about the symptoms as they are similar to those of per-acute Newcastle disease.
Compensation is not payable by the Ministry for disease, but only for slaughter of animals and birds on account of disease. The recent outbreak of fowl plague on a holding in Norfolk was the first recorded in this country for over 30 years, and the first since a slaughter policy for fowl pest was adopted in 1936. This general slaughter policy came to an end on 31st March this year except for fowl pest in its per-acute forms. The amount of compensation payable for the slaughter of the birds as a result of the recent outbreak has not yet been determined.