§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the estimated value of annual loss of milk and leather on account of the warble fly; what proposals he has for a warble fly eradication scheme; and how these proposals match the requirements of the European Economic Community countries.
§ Mrs. FennerNo estimate is available of the total annual value of losses of meat, milk and leather on account of the warble fly. This pest can be readily controlled82W by farmers by the use of cheap and easy-to-apply proprietary treatments. My Department undertakes considerable publicity at the appropriate times each year with the objects of reminding farmers of the losses that can be caused and encouraging them to carry out the recommended treatments. These efforts are supported by the Milk Marketing Board and the Meat and Liverstock Commission. There are no proposals for a Government-sponsored warble fly eradication scheme.
The EEC directive on intra-Community trade in livestock does not contain any specific requirements relating to warble fly. In addition, my Department has not been notified of any such requirements that are being imposed by individual member countries.