HC Deb 13 July 1981 vol 8 c271W
Mr. John Townend

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed his examination of the risks posed to native stocks of lobsters of infection with gaffkaemia by imported Canadian lobsters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Walker

With my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales I have considered the risk that imported lobsters, infected with Gaffkaemia, might pose to native stocks of lobsters. The Government are satisfied, on the basis of scientific advice, that if those landing imported lobsters follow the recommended guidelines the risk should be small. However, we have concluded that there is a potential risk and therefore controls should be introduced. Accordingly, Orders under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 were made today and will come into operation on Monday 3 August.

Under the Lobsters (Control of Deposit) Order 1981 the deposit in a designated area of lobsters coming from outside that area is prohibited, except under licence. The areas designated by the order include all tidal waters of Great Britain, inland waters from which the disease might be carried into the designated tidal waters, and land within 1 mile of the designated tidal and inland waters. The scientific evidence available to me indicates that the European species of lobster is at present free from Gaffkaemia. Consequently movements of European lobsters wilt be permitted by general licence. Consignments of the American species of lobster have been infected, to varying degrees, with Gaffkaemia. From 3 August all deposits of American lobsters will have to be licensed. The conditions of these licences will be worded so as to prevent the spread of disease from the sites where these lobsters are deposited to stocks of native European lobsters.

The Lobsters (Control of Importation) Order 1981 supports the provisions under the Control of Deposit Order by including a requirement that a deposit licence be obtained for all movements of lobsters into a designated area by sea or by air. Finally, I must emphasise that, while Gaffkaemia is a serious disease for lobsters, it does not affect humans and, therefore, does not pose any risk to those eating lobsters.