§ Viscount Lambtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on whose authority Dr. Wilsdon, Regional Veterinary Officer in Northumberland, refused the request of a private veterinary surgeon to have a cow which died at Flotterton Farm on Thursday, 21st July, tested by Mr. Buntain, his Department's Veterinary Investigation Officer, at Newcastle; what was the reason for the refusal; and whether at any stage Dr. Wilsdon provided samples for testing to Mr. Buntain.
§ Mr. PeartUnder his authority as an inspector appointed for the purposes of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950; because no matter of animal origin is allowed off a farm on which foot-and-mouth disease is suspected except under strict security arrangements for testing for that disease at Pirbright; no.
§ Viscount Lambtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how long it was between the shooting of the Galloway cattle on Lord Ravenworth's farm near Whittingham in the foot-and-mouth outbreak last summer with a .22 self-loading rifle and the use of humane killers in order finally to kill them; and how many animals originally pronounced dead by officers of his Department to Mr. R. H. Walton, the user of the rifle, were later found alive and slaughtered with humane killers.
§ Mr. PeartThe Answer to the first part of the Question was contained in the last sentence of my reply of 7th February. But I should add that as there was no evidence of life after the shooting with a rifle, the captive bolt pistol was used solely as a precaution. The Answer to the second part is "None".—[Vol. 740, c.284–5.]
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§ Viscount Lambtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that in future animals stunned and presumed dead, as a result of rifle or pistol fire, will be shot with a humane killer while unconscious to prevent a repetition of the animal suffering that occurred on Lord Ravensworth's farm near Whittingham last summer.
§ Mr. PeartFrom inquiries I have made I am satisfied that no suffering resulted from animals being shot by rifle or pistol fire at Lord Ravensworth's farm at Eslington Park.
It has always been and will continue to be the practice of my veterinary officers to ensure that all animals are dispatched as quickly as possible.
§ Viscount Lambtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that certain livestock presumed to have been killed in the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Rothbury last summer are alive; how many livestock are estimated to have remained alive; whether in any circumstances they could still be infectious; and what action he intends to take regarding these animals.
§ Mr. PeartI am not aware of this. If the hon. Member will let me have details I will investigate immediately.