HC Deb 01 February 1967 vol 740 c106W
Viscount Lambton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Highland cattle were first shot with rifles and then had to be finished off with humane killers on Lord Ravensworth's farm, Little Ryle, in the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Rothbury area last summer; and when he was informed that animals wounded by rifle bullets had to be finished off with humane killers.

Mr. Peart

The Highland cattle shot at Eslington Park were shot dead with an automatic pistol and no humane killer was used on them. A humane killer was however used to make sure that life was extinct in the Galloway cattle referred to in my reply to the hon. Member of the 18th January after they had been shot. This was reported to me before the reply was given.—[Vol. 739, c.79–80.]

Viscount Lambton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that veterinary officers in the field report on every case of suspected foot-and-mouth disease to the headquarters at Tolworth after an agreed diagnosis, why there was no correspondence between the regional veterinary officer in Northumberland and the chief veterinary officer at Tolworth.

Mr. Peart

Because the written report was made by the Divisional Veterinary Officer, in accordance with normal practice after a case of suspected foot-and-mouth disease.