§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has of bulls being kept in farm buildings other than purpose-designed bull pens; how many serious accidents have occurred to farmers and farm workers as a result of bull handling in the past 12 months; and what proposals he has to improve farm safety in this respect.
§ Mrs FennerInspections have revealed that relatively few bulls are kept in purpose-designed pens, and that the majority are housed in farm buildings adapted for the purpose.
Our farm accident statistics do not include injuries to the self-employed, and the latest available figures cover the 12 months ended 30th September 1973; during this period one farmer and two workers were killed as a result of handling bulls, and 16 workers were seriously injured.
The Department has long been concerned with measures to improve effective custody and safe handling of bulls on the farm and we are already considering the scope for further improvements under the new safety régimes envisaged in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Bill and in the recent Bull Beef Report of the Advisory Council for Agriculture and Horticulture. We hope shortly to be in a position to start consultations with all interests concerned.