§ Mr. Macleanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reconsider his decision over the level of Government funding for eradication of Aujeszky's disease.
§ Mrs. FennerWe described very fully to producers' representatives our views on Government funding for the Aujeszky's disease control and eradication scheme as recently as 17 June. There are no grounds for changing our decision.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has for his statement in response to the Agriculture Committee's third report on Aujeszky's disease to the effect that the benefits of the eradication policy are already being felt in terms of improved health in the national pig herd, and that there are likely to be increased export opportunities.
§ Mrs. FennerThere is an absence of costly clinical manifestations of disease and a marked reduction in the number of infected herds being found. The diminution in incidence of disease is reflected in a reduction in its cost to the industry through fattening delays and other factors. With increased control of the disease, it is reasonable to expect facilitation of exports.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his Department's latest estimates, with confidence limits, of the present number of pig units containing one or more Aujeszky's sero-positive pigs in Great Britain, by herd type, size and region; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he expects the eradication of Aujeszky's disease to be complete in Great Britain; and what is his latest estimate of the prospective costs to the industry and the Treasury.
§ Mrs. FennerAs we have made clear on a number of occasions, it is not possible to forecast when any control and eradication scheme will attain complete freedom from disease. Aujeszky's disease is among the more difficult upon which such a forecast can be made. We are vigorously pursuing through sow serum surveys and by other means the detection of remaining infection.
Costs to the industry so far, made up of compensation for slaughter and related costs, compensation for disruption, and interest charges, less the salvage value of slaughtered animals, are about £22.8 million. Over £8.5 million has been collected through the levy and the remainder represents the PDEF overdraft. In addition, the Government have spent about £3.2 million in staff and 402W laboratory costs which has not been charged to the industry. Additional costs under the scheme will depend on the extent of remaining infection not yet found.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any proposals to consult the representatives of the pig industry on any future procedural or financial changes in the Aujeszky's disease eradication scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerI had a full discussion with representatives of the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. about the Aujeszky's disease programme on 17 June in the light of the Agriculture Committee's report and my reply to it. We should, of course, consult the industry if any proposals to amend the scheme were being considered.