§ Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Staffordshire.
§ Mr. Cormackasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Staffordshire.
§ Mr. GodberSuspicion of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among pigs at Marston near Yarlett, Staffordshire, was first reported on the morning of 11th December. Following an initial inspection by a Ministry veterinary officer restrictions on movements of all animals in a five-mile area were imposed immediately. All pigs showing symptoms were slaughtered in the late afternoon and an Infected Area Order was made restricting movement within a wider area. The remaining animals were slaughtered that night and the following morning. A second outbreak confirmed on 12th December was on premises at Walsall to which pigs from the original farm had been moved on 4th December.
A control centre under the charge of the Regional Veterinary Officer was set up on 11th December. The tracing of movements on and off the premises where the two outbreaks have occurred is in progress and the infected area has been extended to cover movements of animals through local markets. All organisations concerned in the area were alerted at the 163W outset. Booklets giving details of symptoms, precautions and regulations which apply in an infected area have been sent to all farmers in the infected area. An epidemiological team was assembled on 11th December and is in operation. Additional veterinary staff have been posted to the area. It is not possible at this stage to forecast the likely development of the disease nor to indicate its origin.