§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the most recent estimates of closure dates of the veterinary investigation centres, including those that have already closed, since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe veterinary investigation centre located at the Central Veterinary Laboratory Weybridge closed in December 1980. In November 1985 the Liverpool centre was relocated to Barton Hall Preston. As a result of the efficiency study of the veterinary investigation service in 1984–85 the Cardiff centre closed in March 1986, the Gloucester and Leeds centres closed in June 1986 and the Northampton centre in July 1986. A small laboratory at Chester was closed in April 1986.
As a result of the recent review the Wye centre closed in July 1991 and the Bangor and Lincoln centres closed in September 1991. 414W
Year and number of reports Occupation 1987–10 (involving 17 people) Farmers/farm workers 14 Unknown 3 No children — 1988–19 (involving 23 people) Farmers/farm workers 21 Unknown 2 No children — 1989–9 (involving 10 people) Farmers/farm workers 4 Children under 16 3 Unknown 3 1990–5 (involving 6 people) Farmers/farm workers 5 Unknown 1 No children — 1991–61 (involving 66 people) Farmers/farm workers 51 Policeman 1 Children under 16 8 Unknown 6 Of these 122 reports, 16 related to sheep dips which are no longer licensed, involving 40 people—13 farmers/farm workers, two children, one trading standards officer, and 24 unknown.
All reports are followed up and the results brought to the attention of the Veterinary Products Committee.