HC Deb 17 November 1970 vol 806 cc362-3W
Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the vaccination of birds against fowl pest; and to what extent the present outbreak is caused by the failure to vaccinate.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Merioneth (Mr. William Edwards) on 3rd November. Of the 1,606 outbreaks confirmed between 24th August and 12th November, only 130 were in fully vaccinated flocks.—[Vol. 805, c.336–8.]

Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the current fowl pest epidemic; what estimate he has made of the present and future price of poultry; to what extent turkeys are being affected by the disease; and if he will make a statement concerning the effect of the epidemic on the poultry industry generally.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) today and the hon. Member for Merioneth (Mr. William Edwards) on 3rd November.

There was a slight increase in wholesale prices of broilers last week. It is impossible to predict future price movements.

Up to 12th November, there were 246 outbreaks of fowl pest affecting turkeys.

The epidemic has affected all sections of the poultry industry, but the highest losses have occurred in broilers. This is because very young birds cannot acquire the degree of protection from vaccination that is necessary to withstand the high concentration of infection that has been present in East Anglia recently. It is impossible at this stage to estimate the effect of the epidemic on egg and poultry production.—[Vol. 805, c. 336–8.]

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