§ Mr. John Hobsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the matters on which he is consulting the cattle breed societies, and other interests, in connection with the suggested import of Charollais bulls for experimental purposes.
148W
§ Mr. John HareThe National Cattle Breeders' Association and the other interests concerned have been informed that, should the Secretary of State for Scotland and I eventually decide to permit an importation with the object of testing the suitability of the Charollais for crossing with dairy cattle for beef production, it would be our intention that the importation and the tests should be conducted by my Ministry. The disease situation in France is now such that unless it worsens, the risk of introducing disease could be rendered negligible by importing calves instead of adult bulls from areas free from foot and mouth disease. The arrangements we are prepared to consider are therefore that a limited number of Charollais bull calves would be imported in a single consignment with strict veterinary precautions and after quarantine in this country would be reared by the Ministry in suitable premises. When mature the bulls would be used to inseminate dairy cows in selected herds and a sample of the calves would be reared on the experimental husbandry farms or other centres under direct control of my Ministry. The performance of the Charollais crosses would be compared with crosses using bulls from British breeds bred and reared under similar conditions.
The organisations concerned are being asked for their views on the matter in the light of the above suggestions.