HC Deb 20 July 1966 vol 732 cc599-600
3. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the use of Strain 19 on cattle over eight months of age.

Mr. Peart

No, Sir. I hope shortly to announce a decision on brucellosis con- trol. It would be premature to adopt this suggestion.

Mr. Kitson

While welcoming that statement, if the Minister really means it, may I ask him whether it is not a necessary first step to introduce this legislation, otherwise it will be very complicated to carry out blood tests on cattle over eight months of age?

Mr. Pearl

I think that the hon. Gentleman should wait until I make the announcement.

Sir A. V. Harvey

I welcome the change of heart of the Minister and his Department in the last four weeks. Will he undertake to make a statement about brucellosis before we rise for the Summer Recess, because the matter is far more urgent than he or his colleagues ever realised?

Mr. Peart

There is no question of a change of heart on my part. I have always recognised that this problem must be tackled. It has always been a question of settling priorities.

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