§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of public concern at the spread of animal diseases, he will make a statement on the current success of brucellosis eradication, the mastitis awareness campaign, and measures to eradicate warble fly infestation, sheep scab and swine vesicular disease.
§ Mr. StrangThe position with the diseases mentioned is as follows:
- (a) At the end of October, 69,910 herds in England and Wales, representing over half of all herds containing testable animals, were undergoing brucellosis eradication measures. I would also refer he hon. Member to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett).
- (b) The control of mastitis is essentially a matter for farmers themselves as good stock management, dairy hygiene and
613 other routine measures can greatly reduce losses. The National Mastitis Awareness Campaign is designed to bring home to farmers the need to adopt appropriate measures. - (c) The degree of warble infestation varies from year to year. It can be successfully treated by systemic dressing, I am currently considering with interested organisations whether statutory control measures should be introduced.
- (d) There have been three confirmed cases of sheep scab in England and Wales this autumn which are connected with outbreaks earlier this year and six in Scotland, all of which are connected. All affected animals, in contact and adjacent flocks, have been dipped.
- (e) The recent upsurge in swine vesicular disease is disappointing. The appropriate control measures have been imposed. Our policy remains to eradicate the disease.