§ Mr. Michael Heseltineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make the disease brucellosis notifiable in order to stop its further spread.
§ Mr. John MackieNo. Brucellosis cannot effectively be diagnosed without a veterinary examination and a serological test. It would therefore be unrealistic to require owners to notify this disease.
§ Mr. Michael Heseltineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the S.19 and 45/20 vaccines are adequate for the requirements of the programme of brucellosis eradication; and whether his Department will promote research into other vaccines and drugs for the prevention and cure of the disease.
§ Mr. John MackieThese are the most effective known vaccines for preventing brucellosis. In addition to conducting investigations, our veterinary laboratory keeps in close touch with developments in world research in this field, including curative drug treatments.
§ Mr. Michael Heseltineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the increasing danger of the spread of brucellosis through the sale of infected animals, he will now introduce a slaughter and compensation policy either on a national or on a regional basis.
§ Mr. John MackieI would refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend made when replying to the hon. Member for Knutsford (Sir W Bromley-Davenport) on 15th October, 1969.—[Vol. 788, c.87–8.]