§ 14. Sir W. Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when considering whether to permit the importation of Charollais bulls, if he will give due consideration to the official policy of the Australian Government regarding risks of disease among cattle exported from this country.
§ Mr. GodberI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that before reaching a decision in this matter my right hon. Friend will take full account of all disease risks.
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Australian ban against British cattle is very vexatious, and that we shall reduce our chances of having the ban removed if we allow Charollais cattle from a disease-ridden country to come into this country?
§ Mr. GodberI think that we must keep the matter in proportion. I quite agree that it is very important that we should try to have the Australian ban relaxed, but I do not think the position is likely to be affected materially by any decision which may be taken—and none has yet been taken—about Charollais bulls. After all, there is no blue tongue disease in France, so far as I am aware, any more than there is in England.