§ Mr. Mylesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made in eradicating brucellosis from cattle in Scotland.
§ Mr. YoungerI have decided to extend the present brucellosis attested area to cover the whole of Scotland with effect from 1 January 1980. To this end I have made the Brucellosis (Scotland) Order 1979, which will shortly be laid before Parliament. The order marks the successful conclusion of a 12–year campaign to eradicate brucellosis from cattle in Scotland. A campaign on this scale called for a high degree of co-operation by all concerned and I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all those connected with the Scottish livestock industry who have helped to attain this landmark in disease eradication.
Now that brucellosis has been virtually eliminated in Scotland it will be all the more important to guard against its reintroduction. The order relaxes certain controls on the movement of cattle in Scotland, but the arrangements for the periodic monitoring of herds remain unchanged, as does my power to slaughter cattle on account of brucellosis, with payment of compensation.