§ 46. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on the importation of Charollais cattle into this country.
§ Mr. SoamesYes. I am convinced that there will be no difficulty in applying the full rigour of our veterinary requirements to the importation of Charollais bulls from France. In particular we shall satisfy ourselves that none of the animals we shall buy has been in contact with foot-and-mouth disease or has been vaccinated against it and we shall provide for fully effective122W quarantine on both sides of the Channel. In these circumstances, I have no reason to suppose that any interference with our traditional livestock trade will arise from this trial importation of Charollais bulls and I shall be arranging to obtain a limited number of bull calves from France. The bulls will remain Government property and we shall not allow them or their semen to be re-exported.