§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is now the policy of the Government about the use of vaccination in the case of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.
§ Mr. Peter MillsContingency plans for ring vaccination against the disease are held in constant readiness, as recommended by the Northumberland Committee, and would be implemented only when, after a careful veterinary assessment of the outbreak, there were reasons for believing that there may be rapid or extensive spread of the disease. Ring vaccination would supplement our slaughter policy, which continues to be the primary means of eradicating the disease when it occurs.