§ 18. Mr. LEWISasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, having regard to the importance of encouraging individual enterprise in the improvement of our various breeds of stock of all kinds, he will consider making such arrangements 12 for quarantine as will enable him to grant permits for the importation of foreign pedigree stock by any breeders in this country who may desire to make such importations?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)Having regard to the danger of the introduction of disease, applications for authority to import livestock for exceptional purposes are entertained only when conducted under the auspices of a recognised breed society and when shown to be of general benefit to British agriculture. I am satisfied that this policy should not be extended to apply to applications by individuals.
§ Mr. LEWISDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the unrivalled pedigree herds of this country are the creation of private individuals; and does he think that private individuals in future should be hampered in their work?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIf the private individuals are conducting their operations scientifically, they will be in close cooperation with the breed societies of this country, and I see no reason to suppose that they should not act through these societies.