HC Deb 17 January 1968 vol 756 cc589-90W
Mr. Temple

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that he has decided to have a post-outbreak investigation concerning the present epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease, he will now set up a secretariat to receive evidence which may be of value to the committee appointed to carry out the investigation.

Mr. Peart:

I have undertaken that when the present epidemic is over, I will set up an independent Committee to examine our policy and arrangements for dealing with foot-and-mouth disease and to report on possible improvements. I am, of course, making all necessary preparations now.

Mr. Temple

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider making supplemental compensation payments to farmers who have had their livestock slaughtered and who, at the end of this epidemic, find that their compensation is below the cost of replacements, such cost of replacements to be calculated over a period of six months following the termination of this outbreak.

Mr. Peart:

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford-Holt) on 20th December. I hope to make a statement soon.—[Vol. 756, c. 437–8.]

Mr. Temple

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the daily cost of the foot-and-mouth epidemic calculated over the period mid-November to mid-December showing direct and indirect costs separately, including the direct cost of compensation and additional departmental costs, indirect costs to the farming and allied communities, to the housewife in higher prices, and costs attributable to the loss of international trade and to the losses to the shipping and transport industries.

Mr. Brewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to the country of the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost to date of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peart:

Such an estimate could only be made on assumptions about the effects of the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic on general economic matters, and these effects would have to be distinguished from changes due to entirely different factors. In situations which are constantly changing a meaningful estimate cannot be provided.

Up to midnight 16th January, £21,368,000 has been paid in direct compensation for animals slaughtered. An estimated £3,774,000 has yet to be paid.