§ 24. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the evidence and information on which he estimates that sheep producers suffered exceptional losses in the recent weather; and what is the number of sheep that have died from cold and starvation this year in England and Wales, separately.
Mr. AmoryThe main loss to hill sheep farmers has not been through deaths but through the effect of the severe weather on sheep already in poor condition after the wet summer and autumn, which has greatly worsened the lambing prospects. Figures of deaths from cold or starvation are not available, but the latest reports indicate that, taking the country as a whole, they were not much more than usual.
§ Mr. FreemanIn view of the conflict of evidence on this matter, will the Minister cause records to be taken of those animals that die from neglect and those that die from disease, accident or other causes?
Mr. AmoryI do not think that there is conflicting evidence on this point. The hon. Member is asking me to do something that administratively would be almost impossible.