§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the need for taking further steps towards eradicating the warble fly pest by making appropriate provision for the compulsory dressing of all imported cattle at the port of landing?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have received representations urging the compulsory dressing of imported cattle at the port of landing as an aid to the eradication of the warble fly pest. As at present advised, I do not consider that the results to be anticipated from such a requirement would justify the dislocation of trade at the ports which its enforcement would involve.
§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the desirability of requiring farmers to make a periodical return of dressings of their 1632W cattle against the warble fly menace, giving particulars of the number, type and age of the cattle so treated?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe suggestion that farmers should be required to make a periodical return of dressings of cattle infested with the warble fly maggot will be considered together with other proposals for the amendment of the Warble Fly (Dressing of Cattle) Order, after the close of the current dressing season which ends on 30th June next.
§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the observations on the drafting of the Warble Fly (Dressing of Cattle) Order, 1936, made by the judges of a King's Bench divisional court in giving judgment recently in an appeal against a conviction for a contravention of the said Order; and if he has decided to re-draft the Order accordingly?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have considered the observations to which the hon. Member refers. They were, I gather, based on the assumption advanced by the prosecution that the Order was intended to require the treatment of infested cattle by both methods prescribed in the Order, whereas the two methods are intended to be alternative. The question of the revision of the Order on this and on other points is under consideration.