§ Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the outbreak of swine vesicular disease in Perthshire.
§ Mrs. FennerI have been asked to reply.
Swine vesicular disease was first confirmed in Scotland at Lasswade in Midlothian on 13th March. Infection was associated with pigs purchased in Gorgie Market on 7th March. The disease was also discovered at Dundee slaughterhouse and from there was passed to premises at Blairgowrie in Perthshire, which was confirmed on 16th March on premises where waste, from a food factory, containing pork sausagemeat had been fed to pigs. Investigation into the origin of the pigmeat is continuing. It was subsequently revealed that pigs from this farm had been sent to Gorgie Market on 6th March and had spread infection in the market. Infected pigs from this market were moved not only to Lasswade but also to Broxburn, West Lothian and two further farms near Edinburgh. A further case at Auchterarder was caused by a sow from the Blairgowrie farm bought at Perth 206W Market on 5th March. In addition, infection was spread by a lorry to another farm in Blairgowrie and to a farm in Angus. The veterinary service is tracing all pigs purchased through Gorgie Market and a controlled area has been imposed covering the whole of Scotland. The total number of pigs slaughtered up to 21st March in Scotland is 7,008.