§ Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what complaints he has received about the cruelty involved in punching holes in animals' ears; and whether he is satisfied that the operation, when necessary, is always performed by experts.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsFatstock has to be permanently marked to ensure that the subsidy is not paid more than once on the same animal. No method more satisfactory than ear punching has yet been devised. This year I have received three complaints that this causes un-218W necessary suffering. The marking is done by men who are normally employed specially for the purpose, and who are instructed to ensure that ear marking is done as efficiently and humanely as it possibly can be. A new and, I believe,more efficient instrument is now in process of being supplied to certification centres.