§ 55. Wing Commander Grant-Ferrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the cattle trade figures between this country and the Continent, showing particular regard to any loss the farming community may have suffered through Governmental restrictions on the movement of cattle abroad.
§ Mr. John HareSince February, 1957, when the restrictions imposed by the Exported Cattle Protection Order came into operation, the number of cattle exported weekly from Great Britain to the Continent has fallen appreciably. In recent months, more ungraded cows have come on to the home market than a year earlier, but average prices at auction have been up to 10s. per live cwt. higher than last year. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a comparative statement of weekly prices.
§ 57. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precise restrictions are operating at the present time with regard to the sale of live British cattle in European markets; and whether, in view of the damage which is being suffered by British farmers as a result of these restrictions, he will review the position with a view to their early modification.
§ Mr. John HareCattle for export to the Continent are required to be rested, fed and watered, and certified by a veterinary inspector as fit to travel before they are allowed to leave the country. They can only be exported for slaughter to countries which have given assurances that the animals will not be re-exported, will not travel more than 60 miles from the point of disembarkation and will be slaughtered by electric stunning or by captive bolt pistol. Suitable lairages and and arrangements for feeding and watering at slaughterhouses are also necessary. I am not prepared to consider relaxing these restrictions, nor can I agree that they are causing any losses to farmers. On this, I would refer my hon. and 167W gallant Friend to my reply today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Nantwich (Mr. Grant-Ferris).
§ 58. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has noted the decision of the Australian Government to ban the importation of cattle and sheep after May next because of the risk of introducing blue tongue disease; and what steps he is taking to ensure the continuance of the export trade in pedigree stock from Britain where the disease has never occurred.
§ Mr. John HareI understand that the Commonwealth Government are considering a recommendation by the Australian Agricultural Council that imports of cattle and sheep should be banned. The Australian authorities are being advised that no case of blue tongue has ever been officially recorded in this country. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the importation into Australia of sheep from the United Kingdom is already prohibited because of scrapie.