HC Deb 10 December 1965 vol 722 cc167-8W
Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the work, carried out in difficult conditions, of the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, at Fenton Manor Farm; and what steps he will take to publicise this work and the publication by the Laboratory of the Report, "Fluorosis in Cattle".

Mr. John Mackie

I appreciate the value of the work done by the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Fenton Manor Farm. The publication of their Report was announced by means of a Press notice and will help to form the basis of advice to farmers faced with fluorosis problems in their herds.

Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is taken to apply the lessons learnt from the eight years' experimental studies made at the Fenton Manor Farm, Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr. John Mackie

The experience gained from the Ministry's work at Fenton Manor is available to any farmer or his veterinary surgeon through the Department's advisory services.

Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to publicise among farmers and the National Farmers' Union the report entitled "Fluorosis in Cattle", based upon the experimental studies made at Fenton Manor Farm, and to advise them what further action should be taken.

Mr. John Mackie

We announced the publication of this Report by means of a Press notice. The National Farmers' Union has been kept fully informed of the developments and were provided with a copy of the Report. The results of the experimental work are known to members of the Ministry's advisory service who are prepared to assist farmers with fluorosis problems in their herds.

Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will seek to arrange for deposit gauges, similar to those fixed on Fenton Manor Farm and on a farm in Essex, to be fixed on farms at Davyhulme, Barton and Astley Moss, Irlam, Cadishead and on other farms within a reasonable radius of Manchester, and to be fixed on farms in Cheshire, Carrington and Flixton.

Mr. John Mackie.

No. In my view, the value of deposit gauges is limited because readings at Fenton Manor remained more or less constant throughout the term of the experiment whereas the fluorine content of herbage fell from an annual value of 106 p.p.m. to 39 p.p.m.