§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which has reached Russia from Asia, that the virus is a new type, and that facilities for manufacturing the new vaccine are below requirements in Western Europe; and whether he will make inquiries through the Food and Agriculture Organisation about possible assistance from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John MackieI am aware of the epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease in Russia: the type of virus is the same as that found in Turkey about a year ago, but we are informed that no cases are occurring near the Western borders of Russia.
We have already contributed to the F.A.O. Fund to prevent the spread of new types of foot-and-mouth disease into South Eastern Europe from Turkey and supplies of vaccine for this purpose have already been manufactured in this country. Similar facilities for further manufacture are available if necessary.
A request from F.A.O. for further financial assistance has recently been received and is being examined.