HC Deb 26 June 1925 vol 185 cc1893-4W
Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of cattle and sheep are found to be tuberculous when slaughtered for food, giving the percentage separately for bullocks, cows, and, heifers?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I regret that I cannot give the figures for the whole of the country. The figures supplied by the Medical Officer of Health for the City of London as regards the Aldgate slaughterhouses (figures which are probably somewhat below the average for the whole country) are as follow:

1923. 1924.
Number of bovine animals slaughtered 38,817 40,058

Percentage found to be tuberculous: 1923. 1924.
All bovines 0.34 0.45
Bulls 2.40 4.40
Calves 0.04 0.04
Cows 25.45 28.00
Heifers 11.11 3.10
Oxen 1.20 2.00

Tuberculosis is scarcely ever found in sheep slaughtered for food.