§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sources of information he used to reach an understanding of the natural history of the foot and mouth disease virus. [152414]
§ Ms QuinThe Ministry has access to the world reference laboratory and world experts at the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright, Surrey. There is also a significant body of knowledge available in published scientific papers.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to pay higher compensation rates for pedigree livestock destroyed under foot and mouth control orders. [152417]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 6 March 2001]: Compensation for animals destroyed to control foot and mouth disease is paid at the full market value of the animal immediately before it became affected with disease, or immediately before slaughter in all other cases. Animals are subject to an independent valuation prior to slaughter. This will take into account whether an animal's pedigree status or any other factor has a bearing on its value.
§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has given to zoos about the foot and mouth disease outbreak and the future of rare and endangered species. [152522]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 6 March 2001]: The Ministry has prepared advice with the Zoological Federation and its veterinary advisers for zoos, wildlife parks, city farms and similar establishments.
This advice has been posted on MAFF's website www.maff.gov.uk. It provides basic information on how the disease is spread and explains what can be done to reduce the risk of disease spreading to animals contained on these sites. For example, zoos should prevent contact between the public and animals and ensure that no waste food is fed to the animals. Disinfection procedures should be introduced or improved for staff, visitors and for any vehicles that enter compounds containing susceptible animals.
We have not provided specific advice on rare or endangered species.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when compensation payments to farmers for the slaughter of animals will start to be made. [152610]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 6 March 2001]: Arrangements are in place to ensure that compensation claims will be processed and paid immediately.
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§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the risk assessment for the spread of foot and mouth disease on herds of wild deer will be published. [152686]
§ Ms QuinFarmed deer are covered under the Animal Health Act 1981 and the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 as ruminating animals, and are susceptible to foot and mouth disease.
An initial veterinary assessment indicates the risk of wild deer spreading the disease is low. As more information becomes available about the epidemiology of disease in the areas where there are wild deer, the risk assessment will be updated. The final risk assessment will be published soon.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to help farmers who will lose income as a consequence of not being able to move cattle before the 30 month period; [153189]
(2) if he will make compensation payments to farmers who have incurred financial loss because of the outbreak of foot and mouth on neighbouring land. [152611]
§ Ms Quin[holding answers 6 and 12 March 2001]: Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. It is not payable for the consequential losses caused by foot and mouth controls, for example when movement restrictions cause animals to become ineligible for the human consumption market. There are no plans to make such payments in response to the current outbreak, but the situation will be kept under review.