§ 50. Sir R. Clarryasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the lack of pure drinking water for cattle is one cause of the spread of disease in herds and the increased consumption of infected milk; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that a supply of clean uninfected water is made available to cattle?
Mr. HudsonI am aware that impure water supplies are one cause of the spread of disease among cattle. At the same time they play only a very minor part in the spread among dairy cattle of diseases that may infect the milk supply. My Department already assists farmers under a grant-aid scheme to carry out works of water supply in approved cases.
51. Sir R. Garryasked the Minister of Agriculture when, in order to limit the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle, he contemplates introducing measures to prevent the sale of disease-laden cattle in the open market; and whether he will enable the appropriate tests to be made on the animals concerned before they are offered for sale?
Mr. HudsonThe removal from farm premises to a market of cattle affected with tuberculosis in a clinical form is prohibited by the Tuberculosis Order. As regards other cattle, it would be impracticable to require the passing of a tuberculin test as a general condition of entry to markets.
§ Sir R. ClarryWhy would it be impracticable, may I ask?