Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Vaccination Cost)

HC Deb 20 November 1967 vol 754 cc251-2W

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates to be the approximate annual cost of vaccinating all cloven footed farm animals in the United Kingdom against foot-and-mouth disease.

Mr. Peart

The cost of vaccinating all susceptible animals with trivalent vaccine once a year would be about £10–15 million. In the first year of vaccination at least, it would be necessary to vaccinate twice a year at a cost of £20–30 million.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the current cost of anti-foot-and-mouth disease vaccine compares with 1954 when the Gowers Committee reported.

Mr. Peart

It is difficult to compare the current cost of vaccines with the cost at the time of the Gowers Committee Report. Trivalent vaccines are now used, whereas I understand that Gowers Committee estimate was based on univalent vaccines.

The current cost is estimated at approximately 3s. a dose.