§ 54. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of arizona paracolon in turkeys have occurred in the past 12 months; how this disease was introduced into this country; by whom the turkeys were imported; and what steps he is taking to eradicate the disease and to prevent a recurrence of this danger to the turkey flock.
§ Mr. John MackieThe infection has been identified at six premises. Circumstantial evidence suggests that it was probably introduced into this country in day-old turkey poults of the "Williams" strain imported from the U.S.A. to quarantine premises in Wales. An eradication campaign is not feasible, but we have advised producers not to breed from turkeys of this strain or from birds that have been exposed to the risk of infection from such stock. We are reviewing the import arrangements to see whether any further safeguards should be introduced.