Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many herds of cattle brucellosis has been identified in the current year; how many heads of cattle have been destroyed; what is the basis of compensation for cattle killed as a result of this identification of brucellosis; and if he will make a statement on the extent of brucellosis and the measures taken to curtail it.
§ Mr. MacleanIn Great Britain, no case of brucellosis has been confirmed this year and so far one animal has been slaughtered as a reactor. In Northern Ireland, brucellosis has been confirmed in two herds, and 36 reactors and 196 contact animals have been slaughtered.
Compensation for reactors is paid at 75 per cent. of market value, subject to a ceiling.
The United Kingdom is officially brucellosis free under community criteria, and qualifies for blood testing to be carried out only every two years.