HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 cc329-31W
Mr. Kirk wood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to protect the outlying areas, smaller herds, and minority breeds from increased costs as a result of the proposals to deregulate the system of licences for the supply of cattle semen.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The current consultation by the Agricultural Departments is designed to bring out and examine such concerns but there are no plans to discontinue the special arrangements under which holders of farm storage licences in the remote areas of Scotland obtain their supplies of semen. No final decisions will be made without thorough consideration of all the responses.

Mr. Kirk wood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps will be taken to protect animal health in the suggested scheme to deregulate the system of licences to supply cattle semen;

(2) how he proposes to guarantee the quality of semen within a deregulated distribution when the system of licences to supply cattle semen is deregulated.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Our proposals for a more liberal approach to the number of suppliers of cattle semen and the zoning of supply areas do not imply any relaxation of the current licence conditions. Supply centres will remain under the day-to-day supervision of an approved veterinary surgeon in addition to inspections at regular intervals from the state veterinary service. There will be no reduction in the rigorous animal health standards which licence holders currently have to meet but the quality of their product, in respect of its genetic merit and viability, remains a matter for commercial judgment.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how he intends to police the system of artificial insemination in his proposals to deregulate the system of licences to supply cattle semen;

(2) what proposals he has to guarantee the facility to trace and control the movement of semen for artificial insemination under his proposals to deregulate the system of licences to supply cattle semen;

(3) what proposals he has to guarantee veterinary and statistical security in his proposals to deregulate the system of licences to supply cattle semen.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Organisations currently holding licences for the supply of cattle semen do so under specific conditions designed to protect the health of the national herd under effective veterinary supervision. There is no proposal to change or dilute these arrangements.

It will continue to be a condition of licence that records are kept which allow the movement of semen to be traced and to provide veterinary and statistical security. If it is decided to allow farm storage licence holders to sell surplus straws to a similar licenceholder the proposed record keeping system will ensure the semen can be traced.

Mr. Kirk wood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in theOfficial Report a list of all parties responding to suggested changes in the deregulation of licences to supply cattle semen, indicating how many were favourable and how many adversely disposed to the proposals.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Seven interested organisations in Scotland have been invited to comment by the end of the month. Of the responses received so far AI Breeders Services Ltd. is in favour while the three Milk Marketing Boards have reservations concerning a possible risk to animal health and supplies to remote areas.