§ Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Minister for Science, what arrangements are being made to provide for further research on the metabolic diseases of sheep and cattle, and on the general subject of meat, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy.
§ Mr. SoamesEvery effort is made, as opportunity offers and suitable staff can be recruited, to extend the research on the metabolic diseases of sheep and cattle which is in progress at a number of stations supported by the Agricultural Research Council. This includes direct research and, in addition, much of the basic research undertaken at the Council's stations on the physiology of sheep and cattle, which is potentially important in elucidating the causes of these metabolic diseases. The Council arranges conferences of those engaged in research in particular fields at which progress can be assessed and future lines of work suggested; two such conferences have beer held on acetonaemia and hypomagnesaemia, and future ones are being arranged. Suitable proposals for work at University Departments are also supported by means of grants.
Proposals for establishing a Meat Research Institute are being considered. Research on meat is already in progress at the Low Temperature Research Station and elsewhere; the Council also gives support to suitable projects which are submitted to it.