§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD FORBESMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they can state the estimated loss in value of (a) cattle hides (b) milk (due to bovine mastitis) as the result of injuries caused by cattle horns, also the amount of claims paid owing to accidents caused by cattle horns to humans; and whether Her Majesty's Government propose to take any action to reduce the losses.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL ST. ALDWYN)My Lords, I regret that we have no information upon which we could base estimates of these losses and claims. The answer to the last part of the noble Lord's question is that it is our policy to encourage, though not to compel, the de-horning of cattle.
§ LORD FORBESMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply. I am sorry he cannot give me more information about cattle horns. Cattle horns to-day are nothing more than malicious head ornaments. Perhaps the noble Earl would state whether Her Majesty's Government would encourage farmers to de-horn cattle.
§ LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTERMy Lords, before the noble Earl replies, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are aware that it is often a great mistake to interfere with nature, and especially in the case of dairy cattle? We do not know 272 what mischief we may be letting ourselves in for. Therefore, I urge Her Majesty's Government to take no notice of this agitation so far as dairy cattle are concerned.
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, it is our practice to encourage de-horning, and our officers in the National Advisory Service give advice on this matter. Farmers have been de-horning cattle in this country for a large number of years and, so far as I am aware, there is no evidence at all to support the theory that it is detrimental to cattle to have their horns removed. In the case of dairy cattle, when a fully grown horn is removed there is a temporary loss of milk, but only for a short period.
§ LORD FORBESI thank the noble Earl for his reassuring reply.