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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional steps he has taken to protect pigs in the United Kingdom from swine fever in Germany. [25270] Mr. Rooker: The potential problems associated with classical swine fever in Germany are not new. There has been an on-going problem with CSF in the Community for 10 years, but the disease has not spread to the UK. European Community legislation lays down control measures, including movement restrictions, to prevent the spread of CSF. The situation is kept under continuous review by the EC Standing Veterinary Committee on which the UK is represented. The SVC may adopt additional controls on an ad hoc basis as and when the need arises. In the past few days, the SVC has imposed a prohibition on exports of pigs and pig semen from specified areas in the region of MecklenburgVorpommern in Germany. In the UK, those connected with the pig industry have been alerted to keep a careful watch for any sign of the disease spreading to the UK from the continent. There are some requirements laid down in Community legislation for the cleansing and disinfection of vehicles used for the transport of pigs in infected countries. Hauliers and those involved in the export of pigs and also other livestock and horses to the continent from Great Britain have been reminded of the need to follow good practice by properly cleaning and disinfecting all empty vehicles to minimise the risk of introducing the disease to Great Britain.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

25270; 305 c347-8W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

EU countries Diseases Disease control EU action Germany Pigs Veterinary services Swine fever EU Standing Veterinary Committee