§ 21. Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will make his decision on the importation of Charolais cattle.
§ Mr. PeartI have called for a further progress report on the cross-breeding trials with Charolais bulls. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are seeking the comments of the industry on the information available with a view to reaching a decision within the next few weeks.
§ Mr. MorrisonI appreciate that there are numerous views to be taken into consideration before a decision is made, but will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in particular, that if an affirmative decision is made there will in all probability be a time lag before importation can take place because suitable unvaccinated stock may not be available?
§ Mr. SoamesWe are delighted to hear from the right hon. Gentleman that he actually intends to take a decision within the next three weeks.
§ Mr. BossomIf these cattle are imported into this country, will the Minister bear in mind what happened the last time that cattle came here? There was a case of leptospirosis while they were in quarantine. Surely this sort of thing has a very bad effect on our export market. Secondly, can the right hon. Gentleman say anything about the trials? Are they complete? We have not yet seen the report on the second part of the trials.
§ Mr. PeartI understand that the trials have been completed. I am waiting for an examination of the reports on the trials.
§ Mr. SnowIs my right hon. Friend distinguishing between importations from France and importations from, say, Canada?