Foot-and-Mouth Disease

HC Deb 18 January 1968 vol 756 cc676-7W

Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to make a statement on the suspected cause of the initial outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Nantmawr confirmed on 25th October, 1967.

Mr. Hoy:

Inquiries which are necessarily protracted, are continuing and evidence is still being collected. I am not able to make any further statement at present.

Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the inquiry into the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease to report; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hoy:

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the epidemiological survey of the present series of outbreaks. This is still in progress, and I cannot yet say when I shall receive a report.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated numbers and percentage of the national dairy herd that have been slaughtered on account of the current foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Mr. Peart:

I estimate that up to the end of last week just over 100,000 dairy cows had been slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease. This represents 3¾ per cent. of the dairy herd in England and Wales.