asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the deferment of a slaughter policy for swine fever until early 1963, he will introduce compulsory vaccination for all pigs going through the open market.

No. Many parts of the country suffer little from swine fever and the decision on whether to vaccinate is therefore best left to the individual pig producer. In addition a country-wide compulsory scheme would be difficult and expensive to administer. As already announced, the Registered Vaccinated Herds Scheme is being revised from 1st April next to give greater protection to the herds of members of the scheme.