§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she will take to compensate farmers whose pigs have been infected by Post-Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome. [20780]
§ Mr. MorleyWe have no plans to compensate farmers for loss of pigs infected by Post-Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PWMS) or Porcine Dermatitis Nephropathy Syndrome (PDNS). The disease is not notifiable. I met representatives of the pig industry in October to discuss proposals for control measures and research. The Department is taking the following action:
- Extensive collaboration and information exchange with other organisations both within the United Kingdom and with other countries;
- Raising awareness about these diseases and providing technical assistance to private veterinary surgeons in diagnosing and investigating disease incidents;
- Publication of results of three telephone surveys to assess the severity and extent of the diseases. A fourth survey is planned for later this year;
- Publication of the results of a case control study to identify risk factors in the control of the diseases;
- Research to identify and characterise agents involved. Wider international research collaboration is being pursued.