§ Mr. HeathTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the resumption of operation of livestock markets. [7891]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 15 October 2001]: Veterinary and scientific advice is that there is an inherent risk of spreading the disease by mixing animals together and then dispersing them. Any livestock keeper with poor standards of biosecurity might attend markets from anywhere in the country and put at risk others attending the market. Even in designated free counties, it would take only one such lapse in biosecurity precautions to spread disease. It is right to be cautious at this stage but the situation will be kept under review.