§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls he has over the importation of anthrax vaccine; whether he has prevented anthrax vaccine being imported into the United Kingdom during the current year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonIn order to maintain the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines, including vaccines, imports are subject to a product licence under the Medicines Act. No product licences have been sought or issued for imported anthrax vaccine.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to amend the Anthrax Order 1938 to permit compensation on slaughtering; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 14 July 1989 at column667.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the monitoring procedures for animals on farms when an outbreak of anthrax occurs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonAnthrax is an acute disease typified by sudden death. Monitoring of live animals present on a premises where anthrax has occurred and where restrictions are in force is generally carried out by the owner, who is advised by his private veterinary surgeon. The Anthrax Order of 1938 makes provision for non-suspect animals to be sent direct to a slaughterhouse provided the movement is made with the written permission of the local authority.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will give the quantities of anthrax vaccine he has had available for use in each of the last 12 months;
(2) if he will list the circumstances in which he will use anthrax vaccine; what controls he will impose on its production and use; and if he will make a statement;
(3) on what date his Department started to produce anthrax vaccine; when it will be ready for use; and if he will make a statement;
100W(4) what stocks of anthrax vaccine other than the stock produced by the Ministry are available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonAnthrax vaccine is generally used by farmers to protect cattle that graze land contaminated in the past with anthrax spores. In rare circumstances it can be used to control an outbreak. The Government do not hold and have not held stocks of vaccine. Commercial production was discontinued in 1986, and commercial supplies of anthrax vaccine for animals have been unavailable since October 1988 when existing stocks became exhausted. We are investigating the possibility of alternative sources.
To deal with the outbreak of anthrax in Wales we are, as an extraordinary measure, making arrangements for an emergency supply of vaccine to be produced at my Department's veterinary laboratory. Production began on 10 July 1989 and it should be ready for use before the end of August, provided that no unexpected problems are encountered.
The production and supply of any medicinal product must satisfy the requirements of the Medicines Act 1968.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) cows, (b) pigs and (c) sheep died in each year since 1982; and how many he expects will die in 1989.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe information requested in respect of anthrax is as follows:
(a) Cattle (b) Pigs (c) Sheep 1982 17 1 — 1983 13 1 — 1984 9 — — 1985 6 — — 1986 12 — 2 1987 6 — — 1988 3 — — 19891 1 14 — 1 To date. It is not possible to predict how many more animals will die of anthrax during the rest of 1989.