§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of sheep scab were reported in Wales in 1992; what were the comparable figures for 1991 and 1989; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe number of confirmed cases of sheep scab in Wales in the years 1989, 1991 and 1992 are given in the following table. The figure for 1992 is for the period 1 January 1992 to 30 June 1992 after which controls on the disease were deregulated.
Year Number of reported cases 1989 5 1991 15 1992 13
Male Unemployed Claimants—At October District (a) Per cent. change 1983 1988 1991 1992 1983–1992 Dinefwr 1,115 943 1,039 1,181 5.9 Llanelli 2,728 2,111 2,298 2,298 -15.8 Blaenau Gwent 4,167 3,045 2,767 2,820 -32.3 Islwyn 2,419 1,940 1,821 1,798 -25.7 Torfaen 3,896 2,735 3,288 3,532 -9.3 Cynon Valley 2,900 2,625 2,800 2,848 -1.8 Merthyr Tydfil 2,874 2,212 2,393 2,482 -13.6 Ogwr 5,424 3,581 4,348 4,753 -12.4 Rhondda 3,705 2,682 3,196 3,220 -13.1 Rhymney Valley 5,216 3,561 4,199 4,287 -17.8 Taff Ely 3,702 2,756 2,999 3,297 -10.9 Brecknock 893 687 810 1,001 12.1 Lliw Valley 2,058 1,591 1,681 1,770 -14.0 Neath 2,763 1,913 1,982 2,059 -25.5 Port Talbot 2,993 1,546 1,500 1,527 -49.0 Swansea 9,738 6,769 6,944 7,260 -25.4 Total Valleys Programme Area 31,009 23,328 25,198 25,954 -16.3 Source: Employment Department.
(a) District figures include areas outside the valleys programme boundary.
The percentage of economically active adult males is not available for the years 1979, 1988 and 1992. Data for 1991 and, for comparison, 1981 are presented in the following table. Figures for the valleys area are not readily available.
632W
Percentage of economically active population (males aged 16–64) District1 21981 31991 Dinefwr 85.8 78.3 Llanelli 87.1 77.4 Blaenau Gwent 84.8 77.1
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to combat recent outbreaks of sheep scab in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe control of sheep scab is a matter for individual flock owners, who are well aware of the preventive measures and procedures needed to deal with it. All sheep farmers are being sent an advisory leaflet reminding them how to identify and deal with the disease. Where veterinary field staff see suspected disease at markets or on farms, advice is given and, where appropriate, action to safeguard animal welfare is taken. Following the outbreak in north Wales veterinary officers met farmers and undertook inspections in order to assess the extent of the disease and to ensure that animal welfare was protected.