§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the outbreaks of whirling disease in Scotland since the first notification; how the disease has been dealt with; whether it is now under control; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe infective agents of this disease have been found in two fish farms in Scotland since the major outbreak in England last year. Restrictions have been placed on the fish farms concerned; it is now necessary for them to obtain the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland's agreement to the movement of any fish, fish eggs or fish food from the farms. These restrictions will remain until the fish farmers have cleared their infected ponds of stock and carried out recommended cleaning and disinfection of their holding tanks and ponds. Investigations by the Department's scientists have failed to reveal any spread of infection beyond these two farms.