§ 86. Mr. Bostonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the steps taken to deal with the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Lamberhurst Farm, Dargate, near Faversham, Kent; and when he expects to be able to lift the restrictions imposed upon the surrounding area.
§ Mr. PeartFoot-and-mouth disease was confirmed among cattle on Tuesday night, 20th April, at Lamberhurst Farm, Dar-gate, near Faversham, Kent. The premises were immediately placed under strict control and an area of approximately ten miles around the premises was declared to be an infected area in which the movement of all livestock became subject to restrictions.
The affected and contact animals were valued for the purposes of compensation on 21st April, and slaughter was completed during the night of 21st-22nd April. The carcases were cremated and a preliminary disinfection of the premises was completed on 22nd April: detailed disinfection is proceeding.
All stock on holdings within two miles of the infected place have been examined by the Department's veterinary staff and no further evidence of the disease has been found. Extensive investigations and inquiries are being made in an effort to establish the probable source of infection.
61WIf no further outbreak occurs, the infected area will be contracted to a radius of about five miles around the infected place on 5th May, and will be completely withdrawn on 12th May.