§ 88. Sir J. Maitlandasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that small poultry and egg producers in the vicinity of very large units are sufficiently protected against the spread of fowl pest; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartIn order to secure the maximum protection for his flock against fowl pest every poultry keeper, whether his flock be large or small, should adopt a regular programme of vaccination, and support this with good husbandry, hygiene and disease security measures. I am satisfied that if small poultry keepers carry out these measures conscientiously the chances of their flocks contracting fowl pest will be very greatly reduced, whatever their situation. Moreover, most of the country's large flocks are vaccinated, and experience has shown that, if for any reason vaccination should fail to protect a vaccinated flock, the amount of virus produced and disseminated is very much smaller than is the case in a non-vaccinated flock.