HC Deb 01 December 1972 vol 847 cc256-7W
Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the terms of compensation for owners under the brucellosis scheme; and if valuation is on the basis of the individual animal or as part of a herd.

Mrs. Fenner

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply received by my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster (Mrs. Kellett-Bowman) on 19th May. The valuation is on the basis of the individual animal, but is related to the status of the herd: animals in accredited herds are valued as accredited and in non-accredited herds as non-accredited.— [Vol. 837, c. 211–13.]

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many valuers in Wales his Department has refused to recognise as valuers for claimants under the brucellosis scheme.

Mrs. Fenner

I cannot say how many valuers are not acceptable to my Department for the purpose of this scheme. The selection of a valuer to value reactors under the brucellosis scheme is a matter for agreement between the Ministry and the herd owner. In deciding whether to agree to the use of a particular valuer the Ministry takes into account his knowledge and experience of valuations under the Diseases of Animals Act. If agreement cannot be reached with the herd owner the President of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors is asked to nominate a valuer.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many brucellosis-free herds there are in Wales; and what percentage of all herds in Wales this represents.

Mrs. Fenner

At the end of October there were 9,803 accredited herds in Wales, representing 31 per cent. of all herds in the Principality.