§ Major OWENasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the suffering endured by cattle and the financial loss caused by the warble fly, he proposes to take any steps to eradicate this pest?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am well aware how desirable it is that the warble fly should be eradicated. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that a committee established by the Leathersellers' Company have already done much to encourage voluntary action by farmers to deal with the pest. Any proposal to take general and compulsory measures would 997W raise considerable practical difficulties, notably difficulties arising from the importation of cattle during a time of the year when it is impossible to tell whether or not they are infested with the pest, and on these and other aspects of the problem I am still in consultation with the interests concerned.