§ VISCOUNT MONCKTON OF BRENCHLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will now announce the starting date, initial areas, and financial terms for area eradication of brucellosis.
EARL ST. ALDWYNOn November 1, my right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food intend to start eradication in three main areas of Great Britain. The first is in North-West England, between the Esk and the Lune; the second, on the western Scottish seaboard, is Argyll and Bute; and the third, in South-West Wales,554WA is a coast-to-coast corridor of Cardigan and Carmarthen East of the Teifi and Tywi estuaries. Eradication will also start in certain Islands, including the Shetlands, the Uists, and the Isle of Wight.
Further details are contained in Orders being made which prohibit the use of 45/20 vaccine, except under licence, in these areas and in adjoining zones within which the eradication programme is expected to extend during 1972–73. My right honourable friends will select the next main areas as soon as practicable in the light of the industry's response to voluntary accreditation, especially in the North and West of Scotland, and in South-East England, Devon and East Anglia.
Clean animals in herds subject to compulsory eradication will be eligible for incentives, at the higher rates announced in Cmnd. 4623, from their first lest until one year after accreditation; and advance payments will be available for herds having significant infection. For each slaughtered reactor, and in addition to the carcase realisation price, the owner will receive £30 provided he has continuously been utilising the Free Calf Vaccination Service for the herd since July 1, 1971, or has been taking equivalent precautions; otherwise payment for reactors will be £15. Market value will be paid for any slaughtered "contacts" and for reactors in herds not eligible for incentives.
My right honourable friends share the Industry's concern that owners should normally have at least 18 months' notice before compulsory slaughter powers are enforced. These powers will not therefore be used in the initial areas until November 1, 1972, although in the meantime owners concerned will be able either to join the voluntary Incentives Schemes or to take advantage of the eradication payments on a voluntary contractual basis. We are regarding the first year in the initial areas as an opportunity to study the disease control and financial aspects of eradication among heavily infected herds, and the position of such herds will be reviewed in mid-1972 in the light of experience gained.
House adjourned at six minutes past eight o'clock.