Written question asked by William Cash (Conservative) on Monday, 9 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what standing instructions, made pursuant to the conclusions of the Western Command report on the 1967-68 outbreak of foot and mouth, were in place prior to the current outbreak; and if he will place a copy of the current standing instructions in the Library. - Includes ref to GB contingency plan and State Veterinary Service Standing Instructions for foot and mouth disease to be placed in Library. (Holding answer 23 April 2001).

Answer: Mr. Cash: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what standing instructions, made, pursuant to the conclusions of the Western Command report on the 1967-68 outbreak of foot and mouth, were in place prior to the current outbreak; and if he will place a copy of the current standing instructions in the Library. [158222] Ms Quin: [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Ministry relied on the Northumberland Report when drawing up revised contingency plans after the 1967-68 outbreak. The Western Command Report was an internal Ministry of Defence Report. The GB contingency plan for dealing with outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, in accordance with Article 5 of Council Directive 90/423/EEC, provides a general overview of our planned response to an outbreak. The State Veterinary Service Standing Instructions for foot and mouth disease set out the detailed procedures to be followed during an outbreak. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information