§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to prohibit the imports of ungutted fish of the salmon family, in view of the risk of the introduction of the virus disease known as virile haemorrhagic septicaemia and infectus haematophoetic necrosis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe Government recognise the concern about the serious fish diseases viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematophoetic necrosis (IHN). It is our intention to make an order under the Animal Health Act 1981 introducing appropriate controls over the import of ungutted salmonids and the necessary consultations with interested parties are now being carried out.