§ 3. Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed his consultations on the future of bull and boar licensing; and when he intends to make a statement.
§ 29. Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet completed his review of policy on sire licensing.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Anthony Stodart)I would refer the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend to the reply given on 24th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. MacArthur) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.—[Vol. 812, c. 145.]
§ Mr. StrangIs the Minister aware of the suggestion that bull licensing might be abolished in England and Wales but not in Scotland? Does he appreciate that such a decision would be scientifically indefensible and quite impracticable?
§ Mr. StodartI do not wish to go beyond what I have already said. I hope that I shall not be guilty of an anatomical inaccuracy in saying that the Government will be taking the bull by the—well, by the horns before long.