HC Deb 24 January 1992 vol 202 cc381-2W
Mr. Hague

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his review of the control arrangements which apply when sheep scab is confirmed.

Mr. Gummer

Sheep scab is a particularly unpleasant disease which results in distress to sheep and financial loss to farmers. The new provisions simplify the control measures and place greater responsibility in the hands of the industry.

The Sheep Scab Order 1992, which replaces earlier legislation, retains sheep scab as a notifiable disease. Where infection is confirmed, movement restrictions will be put in place and farmers will be required to dip their sheep and complete declarations to that effect.

The main changes to the earlier legislation are: reduction in the involvement of inspectors supervising dipping on infected premises: simplification of the system for licensing movements; and simplification of the affected area provisions.