§ Mr. David Steelasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been paid in compensation to farmers for destruction of their flocks and herds following outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. John MackieThe amounts of compensation paid for animals slaughtered following outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease during the last five years are as follows:—
£ Year to 31st March, 1962 81,831 Year to 31st March, 1963 18,574 Year to 31st March, 1964 2,245 Year to 31st March, 1965 Nil Year to 31st March, 1966 18,299 There were no outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the years ending 31st March, 1964 and 31st March, 1965. The compensation shown for the year to 31st March, 1964 is a payment delayed by a dispute about the ownership of animals slaughtered in March, 1961. It is too early to give any figures for the present outbreak.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will have printed a stock of posters 258W in large print warning hikers and tourists generally to keep clear of areas affected by, or adjacent to areas affected by, foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he will ensure the distribution of these posters in adequate numbers as soon as an outbreak of the disease is confirmed.
§ Mr. John MackieStocks of posters, suitable for erection at the entrances of infected farms, on footpaths passing through farmland, and at the boundaries of farms within the Infected Area, are held at all Animal Health Offices and when disease is confirmed additional supplies are sent immediately to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Centre. These posters give adequate warning to hikers and tourists, and in cases such as the present these warnings are reinforced through the co-operation of organisations concerned.