§ 47. Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of do-it-yourself artificial insemination.
§ Mr. StrangProposals for changes in the controls exercised over the artificial insemination of cattle and pigs were recently circulated to the industry and the veterinary profession for comment. The prosals include the restriction of "Doit-Yourself" AI, except in the remoter areas of Scotland, to circumstances where the bull and the females to be inseminated are in the same ownership. This restriction, however, would not apply in the case of pig semen which cannot at present be frozen and stored successfully for any length of time.
Many comments have been received on the proposals, including a number from those who wish to make greater use of DIY AI. Comments from a few of the organisations concerned, including the National Farmers' Union and British Veterinary Association, have still to be received. Until the views of all interested organisations have been received it would be premature for me to make a statement on the future of DIY AI.