§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contingency plans there are to ensure sufficient supplies of vaccine would be available to cope with a sudden outbreak of either myxomatosis or viral haemorrhagic disease in rabbits.
§ Mr. GummerWe have been in close contact with representatives of vaccine manufacturers, along with those 49W of rabbit owners, to explore the possibility of vaccine supplies being made available. As a result, a vaccine against myxomatosis is expected to be licensed early in March, although it is likely to be May before the company is able to make supplies widely available. There is no current licence application for a vaccine against rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease, but a possible application is under active discussion.