HC Deb 16 June 1988 vol 135 c231W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the danger of an outbreak of Colorado beetle infestation from the importation and dumping of American domestic waste in the United Kingdom;

(2) what assessment he has made of the danger of an outbreak of swine fever from the importation and dumping of American domestic waste in the United Kingdom;

(3) what assessment he has made of the danger of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease from the importation and dumping of American domestic waste in the United Kingdom;

(4) what assessment he has made of the danger of rabies from the importation and dumping of American domestic waste in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Donald Thompson

My officials are assessing the implications of importing American domestic waste in relation to both plant and animal health. The possible introduction of the Colorado beetle is one of the plant health risks being investigated. We are aware of no recent outbreaks of either swine fever or foot and mouth disease in the United States of America, but we are considering whether there might be any risk of those diseases being introduced if the waste included waste food originating outside the United States of America. We are satisfied that there would be no risk of introducing rabies.