§ Mr. Corbettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Government have received approval from the European Commission of their application for financial assistance for an accelerated eradication programme for brucellosis.
§ 1979 Mr. StrangI am glad to say that the accelerated programme which we submitted last month has now been approved by the Commission. The final stages of the compulsory eradication programme for brucellosis will be as follows:
To begin on 1st November
- Cleveland
- Greater Manchester
- Nottinghamshire
- Gloucestershire
- Avon
- Remainder of Hereford and Worcester
- Remainder of Merseyside
- Remainder of North Yorkshire
- Remainder of Humberside
- West Yorkshire
- Derbyshire
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands
To begin on 1st March
- South Yorkshire
- Remainder of Cornwall
To begin on 1st November
- Northumberland
- Staffordshire
- Remainder of Cheshire
- Remainder of Tyne and Wear
- Remainder of Clwyd
The amending orders needed to implement this programme will be made as soon as possible.
In view of the progress made to date, it is appropriate to reassess policy on the use of vaccines against brucellosis. I have decided that vaccination with 45/20 vaccine under the Government scheme should be discontinued immediately, except in the case of animals not previously vaccinated with 45/20 vaccine in scheme herds in the areas where eradication is to begin on 1st November 1979: vaccination of these animals will be permitted up to 30th September 1978. Later in the year I expect to be able to announce extensions to the list of attested areas, in which use of S19 vaccine is prohibited.
645WThe progress made so far in the eradication of brucellosis is both encouraging and gratifying, but the campaign is by no means over. It remains important that all concerned exercise vigilance. In particular, I would urge on everyone the need to comply with the requirement to notify all abortions to the divisional veterinary officer, so that they can be investigated and any caused by brucellosis identified. No charge is made to herd owners for these investigations.