§ 27 Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) why it was necessary for his Department to arrange for the collection of reactor animals on Easter Sunday for slaughter that day in Camborne, Cornwall;
(2) what provision is made for notifying chief public health officers of the slaughter of reactor animals for which his Department is paying compensation under the Tuberculosis (Slaughter of Reactors) Order, 1956; and
(3) to what extent reactor animals for which compensation is paid are slaughtered on Sundays; and what provision is made to ensure that the carcasses of such animals are inspected before being sold for human consumption.
§ Mr. GodberThe day on which cattle which react to the tuberculin test are slaughtered is primarily a matter for the buyer and my Department did not arrange for reactor animals to be collected for slaughter in Camborne on Easter Sunday. I am unable to say how many reactor cattle are slaughtered on Sundays, but I am informed that this was the first occasion on record that such cattle had been slaughtered at Camborne on a Sunday.
My veterinary officers take all possible steps to see that reactor cattle in tuberculosis eradication areas are sent to slaughterhouses where an adequate meat 1127 inspection service is maintained. Occupiers of slaughterhouses are required to notify local authorities of intention to slaughter animals for human consumption. I am glad to tell the hon. Gentleman that the carcasses of the animals to which he refers were inspected.
§ Mr. HaymanIs the Minister aware that his statement will cause consternation in Camborne, because I have in my hand a notification from his veterinary officer asking for the farmer to co-operate in the collection of the animals on Easter Sunday? Is he aware that 18 bovine animals condemned by his Department were slaughtered on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday and that two whole carcasses had to he put aside as well as 192 lb. of meat from 14 others? Does he not consider it wrong when animals are condemned by his Department for which his Department pays compensation, that they should be slaughtered without the chief public health inspector being informed? Will he at least have that put right?
§ Mr. GodberNaturally, in view of what the hon. Member has said I shall be grateful if he will let me have the document to which he has referred. I will then investigate the whole matter again. I assure him that these carcasses were examined and that from the point of view of public health the public were safeguarded.