HC Deb 06 June 1989 vol 154 cc9-11W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many poultry flocks and how many birds, have been slaughtered since the signing of the Zoonoses Order 1989;

(2) what compensation has been paid to poultry farmers affected by the slaughter of their flocks subsequent to the signing of the Zoonoses Order 1989.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Since the introduction of the Zoonoses order on 1 March, 25 poultry flocks and 338,963 birds have been slaughtered at a cost of £261,163.76p. In addition 6,333 diagnostic samples have been taken from 45 flocks at a cost of £10,459.79p.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many random inspections have been carried out by his Department to ensure that the terms of the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 are being fully and correctly complied with;

(2) on how many occasions poultry farmers have been detected failing to comply fully and correctly with the provisions of the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989; and what action his Department has taken;

(3) what evidence his Department had uncovered of the falsification of specified samples as required under the provisions of the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989; on how many occasions; and what action his Department has taken;

(4) what system of checks his Department has put in place to verify that poultry farmers are supplying full and accurate information in compliance with the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Responsibility for enforcement of the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 lies with local authorities. As the measure has been in force only since 16 March, and as measures for the registration of poultry flocks are not yet in place, it would be premature to reach a judgment on the extent of compliance. At this early stage, poultry farmers and enforcement authorities are still in the process of introducing the necessary procedures and my Department is providing advice and guidance as necessary.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the evidence available on the extent of salmonella infection in the laying flocks of the United Kingdom and other EEC countries.

Mr. Donald Thompson

There have been 35 reports of isolation of salmonella enteritidis in table egg-laying flocks in the United Kingdom so far this year. We have no information on the number of cases reported in other EC countries but know that salmonella infection has been identified in Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, West Germany and Denmark.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with his European colleagues to ensure standard checking for salmonella infection in eggs.

Mr. Donald Thompson

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 4 April at column51, the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 20 April at column 280 and my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell) on 25 April at column 492.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that all eggs imported into the United Kingdom are subject to the same examination for salmonella infection as those produced in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Donald Thompson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 20 April at column280.