HC Deb 25 November 1993 vol 233 cc120-2W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms have been placed under movement restrictions as a consequence of the recent outbreak of(a)brucellosis and (b) warble fly; in which counties the herds infected are located; and how many are affected in each of those counties by each of those infections.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

One farm in Gywnedd, where brucellosis infection has been confirmed following culture of the relevant organism, has been placed under movement restrictions. Two farms in Cheshire where cattle have reacted positively to the serological test for brucellosis have also been placed under movement restrictions.

Thirty-nine premises in the following counties were placed under movement restrictions between April and July 1993 following confirmation of warbles infestation in imported cattle. Treatment notices were served on all farms within 3km of the above premises this autumn resulting in a further 1,490 farms placed under restriction pending treatment.

County Number
Avon 2
Ayrshire 1
Bedfordshire 1
Cheshire 8
Cornwall 1
Devon 2
Dorset 1
Dyfed 1
Gloucestershire 1
Hampshire 2
Kent 1
Lancashire 1
Lothian 1
Oxfordshire 1
Shropshire 3
Somerset 6
Staffordshire 1
West Sussex 1
Wiltshire 3
Worcestershire 1

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle in total have tested positive for(a) brucellosis and (b) warble fly; how many of these were infected before entering the United Kingdom; how many have contracted the disease in this country; from which countries the infected cattle originated; and what known risks there were in those countries of brucellosis or warble fly which could be calculated to present a danger if animals were to be imported into the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Since 1 September 1993, 21 cattle in Great Britain have reacted positively to serological tests for brucellosis. Disease has been confirmed by culture in nine animals, one of which was imported from France. Detailed epidemiological investigations to determine the source of infection are continuing. We understand that a small number of cattle herds in France are infected with brucellosis and are under restriction. However, all cattle imported into the United Kingdom from all member states must originate from officially brucellosis-free herds—as defined in Community rules—and must be tested negative for brucellosis within the 30 days prior to export.

Two hundred and twenty-one cattle imported from France between January and July 1993 proved to be infested with warble fly. The annual United Kingdom serum survey for warble fly currently being undertaken has so far disclosed four positive reactions. One of these animals was imported from France: the origin of the other three animals is at present unknown. There is a high incidence of warble fly in France, in common with a number of other member states. It is a legal requirement that all cattle imported into the United Kingdom, except those for immediate slaughter, must be treated within 24 hours of arrive for warble fly.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle infected with brucellosis have been slaughtered; and how many humans have been infected by the disease; and by what means the disease was transmitted from cattle to humans.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Since 1 September 1993, 15 cattle which reacted positively to the serological test for brucellosis have been slaughtered, in nine of which the disease was confirmed; no humans have been infected. In the past, humans caught the disease by direct contact with infected cattle or by consumption of unpasteurised milk or milk products. There is no risk of infection from the consumption of pasteurised milk or milk products or from meat.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the estimated costs incurred by her Department in connection with arrangements for containing the risk from the presence of animals tested positive to foot and mouth, equine viral ateritis, warble fly and brucellosis, tracking down and testing the infected animals, publicising each threat, slaughtering the affected animals and compensating the losses where eligible; and what additional costs were incurred.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost in both nominal and real terms for each year since 1979 to her Department of programmes for tackling animal diseases imported into the United Kingdom which had previously been deemed to be eradicated.

1989–90£ 1990–91£ 1991–92£ 1992–93£
Administrative and clerical 46,818,579 52,828,708 59,612,780 68,802,552
Managerial 8,884,824 13,341,551 19,322,078 21,838,204
Nursing and midwifery 190,911,768 205,822,687 227,698,352 242,791,513

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Compensation paid to farmers by Agriculture Departments following compulsory slaughter of their stock for the diseases specified was, for the years indicated, as follows:

1981 1984 1986 1987 1992
£ £ £ £ £
Foot and Mouth Disease 91,414
Newcastle Disease 816,325
Classical Swine Fever 451,435 276,525
Avian Influenza 6,202

Estimation of other expenditure specifically associated with these disease outbreaks would involve the Department in disproportionate costs.

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