§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research has been done into the efficacy of different methods for eliminating sheep scab; what are the numbers of infected animals reported in the last five years for which statistics are available; and what comparable eradication schemes operate in other EC countries.
§ Mr. GummerResearch is being carried out at the Central Veterinary Laboratory into methods of sheep scab control other than dipping.
Information on the number of infected animals is not available because—as long as the disease remains notifiable—infestation is recorded on a flock basis. In Great Britain, the number of outbreaks of sheep scab by flock in the past five years are as follows:
Year Number 1988 36 1989 66 1990 95 1991 116 1992 193 1 to 31 May The Department does not maintain comprehensive information on the control policies in other Community member states. There is no Community requirement for action to control scab.