§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department collects statistics on abortions in cattle and the causes if determined for such abortions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayUnder the terms of the Brucellosis (Scotland) Order 1979 all bovine abortions or premature calvings are required to be notified to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. A total of 4,168 notifications were received in 1985. This compared with 4,160 in 1984 and 4,335 in 1983. Subsequent investigations by the state veterinary service, which are confined to testing for brucellosis, proved negative in all cases.