asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of sheep scab were reported in England during the last 12 months; what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Over the past 10 seasonal years (July-June) the number of sheep scab outbreaks in England has been as follows:

	Numbers
1974–75	15
1975–76	142
1976–77	70
1977–78	51
1978–79	56
1779–80	23
1980–81	58
1981–82	46
1982–83	111
1983–84	190

So far this seasonal year there have been a total of 29 confirmed cases.With the full support of the industry and local authorities, the campaign to control and eradicate sheep scab was stepped up last year, with two compulsory national dipping periods. The overall result has been a significant fall in the number of confirmed cases. However, this co-operative effort must continue if eradication is to be achieved. It has been agreed that there will again be two compulsory national dipping periods this year designed to reduce further the level of disease.