HC Deb 04 May 1966 vol 727 cc121-2W
94 and 95. Mr Kimball

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will take steps to prohibit the import of live and dead salmon, sea trout and ova of any kind from Eire and Ulster until such time as he is satisfied that the virulent disease now affecting the rivers in Ireland cannot be transmitted by these means;

(2) if he will act immediately on the resolution of the Fisheries Committee of the British Field Sports Society sent to him on 20th April, supported by representatives of the Salmon and Trout Association, Flyfishers Club, and the National Federation of Anglers, about the menace to salmon, sea trout and coarse fish caused by the virulent fish disease now affecting Irish rivers.

96. Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the disease columnaris now affecting Atlantic salmon and large numbers of salmon entering the rivers of Ireland; and what action he will take to prevent the disease affecting salmon in this country.

Mr. Peart

As regards the nature of the disease affecting salmon in certain rivers in the Republic of Ireland (which on present information does not seem to be columnaris), I have nothing to add to the statement which my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary made on 26th April in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow).

As regards the prevention of the spread of the disease, a number of measures are already in force. Firstly, under the Diseases of Fish Act, 1937, the importation of live salmon and trout into Great Britain is prohibited.

Secondly, no licences are being issued for the importation of eggs of salmon and trout into either Great Britain, or under separate legislation, into Northern Ireland.

Thirdly, the Irish authorities themselves have arranged for all affected fish to be destroyed. In addition they have introduced a systematic inspection of all the licensed dealers' premises from which fish are exported and they do not permit dead salmon to be exported by persons other than licensed dealers.

I believe that these measures should effectively prevent the spread of the disease to this country through imports of fish or eggs, but I am watching the situation closely and am continuing to keep in touch with the Irish authorities.