HC Deb 16 December 1966 vol 738 c176W
Viscount Lambton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, as a result of visits paid by Mr. R. P. Robson, veterinary surgeon, after he had been in contact with animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, stock was put down to prevent the spread of the disease; and on how many farms this precautionary measure was taken.

Mr. Peart

Yes. 17 animals on 7 farms.

Viscount Lambton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the bottle containing saliva and scabs from the mouths of animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, which were originally declared negative at his Department's laboratory on 18th July, was, when further tests were taken, proved to have contained a virus of the disease.

Mr. Peart

Yes. The complement fixation test carried out at the Animal Virus Research Institute, Pirbright, proved negative; the test in tissue culture was inconclusive; and the test by animal inoculation proved positive. The latter two tests were not completed until after the disease had been diagnosed clinically on 21st July.