§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the rate of eradication of brucellosis in Scotland in general and in Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire in particular; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have been asked to reply.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Banff (Mr. W. H. K. Baker) on 21st February and to my hon. Friend 83W the Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour) on 14th March. Encouraging progress is being made with eradication of brucellosis in Scotland.
The information I have indicates that in the counties of Aberdeen and Kincardine the incidence of brucellosis is higher than average and that participation in the voluntary brucellosis schemes, which is an important preliminary to the introduction of compulsory eradication, is below the Scottish average. However, progress is being made. At 28th February 1972, 690 herds were taking part in the voluntary schemes and 322 of these herds were accredited. At 28th February 1973 the comparative figures were 1,246 herds and 748 herds respectively.—[Vol. 851, c. 95; Vol. 852, c. 1274–5.]