HC Deb 26 February 1969 vol 778 cc293-4W
43. Sir J. Gilmour

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of cows and heifers infected with brucellosis which were sold through store markets last year and have thus been retained for breeding.

Mr. John Mackie

No such estimate is practicable.

50. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements have been made for testing cattle for brucellosis infection arriving from Ireland; whether these tests are made at the port of shipment or at the port of arrival; and if he will make a statement.

53. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests for brucellosis infection are required of cattle imported into Great Britain.

Mr. John Mackie

Cattle from outside the British Isles are tested before export and, except for Canadian cattle, on arrival. Channel Islands cattle are also tested before shipment. Special conditions apply to animals joining herds in the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme.

51. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many markets are now selling brucellosis-free cattle; which are these markets; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Mackie

45 markets in Great Britain have so far been approved, for periods up to 12 months, for the sale of cattle accredited under the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme. I am circulating a list of these in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In addition, 27 special one-day markets have been approved from time to time.

MARKETS WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE SALE OF ACCREDITED CATTLE
England and Wales
Barnstaple. Lampeter.
Beeston. Lancaster.
Bentham. Leicester.
Carlisle. Liskeard.
Carmarthen. Landeilo (Town).
Clitheroe. Llanybyther.
Cockermouth. Manleys, Crewe.
Exeter. Newton Abbot.
Ffairfach (Landeilo Bridge). Northampton.
Norwich.
Gisburn. Otley.
Gloucester. Penrith.
Hatherleigh. Plympton.
Hawes. Reading.
Haywards Heath. Shrewsbury.
Hellifield. Skipton.
Hereford. Slough.
Holsworthy. Ulverston.
Ipswich. Uttoxeter.
Kendal. York.
Scotland
Agricultural Hall Central, Aberdeen. Central Auction, Kildean.
Ayr. Lanark.
Castle Douglas. Paisley.

Mr. Brewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many herds are now accredited as brucellosis-free; and what proportion this represents of the total herds in the country.

Mr. John Mackie

At the end of January, 1969, there were 3,288 accredited herds in Great Britain. This represented 1.5 per cent. of the total herds.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to control the disposal of cattle known to be infected by brucellosis.

Mr. John Mackie

I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply given by my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 28th January to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mrs. Ewing).—[Vol. 776, c. 317.]