§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out in the Official Report the text of the statement made by his Department to the Meat Trade Journal concerning the effects of the present outbreak of Newcastle disease in pigeons or poultry.
§ Mrs. FennerNo outbreak of Newcastle disease has occurred in this country since 1978. The Ministry has not made a statement to theMeat Trade Journal but replied to a telephoned question.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether Her Majesty's Government have taken any steps to prohibit continental pigeon fanciers from transporting pigeons to the United Kingdom for release in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. FennerThe importation of racing pigeons for release in this country is prohibited except under the authority of an import licence issued by my Department. In present circumstances licences will not be issued.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the effect on the spread of Newcastle disease of wild birds flying to the United Kingdom from the continent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerNo outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been confirmed on the Continent or in this country for 109W some years. Wild birds can be vectors of a number of animal, poultry and bird diseases but cannot, of course, be controlled.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 4 July, Official Report, c. 48, in which areas other than Cornwall investigations are being carried out into the possible incidence of Newcastle disease;
(2) what is the most recently available total of the number of pigeons outside Cornwall affected by paramyxovirus; and what was the date of the last recorded outbreak.
§ Mrs. FennerInvestigations are being carried out into suspect paramyxovirus disease in racing pigeons outside Cornwall in Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, London, Suffolk, Manchester, Sussex, Lancashire, Durham, Kent, Humberside and Norfolk. One case in Devon in a loft was confirmed on 14 July on the basis of clinical evidence of disease and positive laboratory test results.
§ Mr. Boyesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what vaccines are available to prevent pigeons from contracting paramyxovirus 1 and paramyxovirus 3; and whether he imposes any restrictions on their use.
§ Mrs. FennerThe use of vaccine is not permitted under existing Government policy. The situation in relation to racing pigeons is kept under constant review in case any change would be advisable.