§ Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the losses to the dairy industry of this country through sterility in dairy cattle, he will take early steps to ensure that stock-owners keep accurate herd records, and that veterinary practitioners to whom such records should be available should carry out regular periodic examinations of all breeding animals in the herds for the purpose of applying the necessary treatment?
Mr. HudsonConsultations are taking place with all interested parties, including representatives of the veterinary profession, with the object of securing the wider adoption of the most suitable methods of effecting a reduction of the losses caused by sterility and diseases of dairy stock.
§ Mr. Wootton-Daviesasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the investigations of the National Veterinary Medical Association which have recently shown that there is a loss to the nation per year from the presence of mastitis, contagious abortion and sterility in dairy cattle of over 83,000 tons of solid protein, sugar and minerals, and a loss of over 813W 31,000 tons of butter fat; and whether, in view of the urgent national importance of increasing home-produced food supplies, he will apply remedial measures in this field at the earliest opportunity?
Mr. HudsonI am aware of the calculations made by the National Veterinary Medical Association as to the economic losses caused by mastitis, contagious abortion and sterility in dairy cattle. As regards the latter part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Colonel Carver).