§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the numbers of calf deaths due to pneumonia, and to diarrhoea, in Nottinghamshire in recent years; what is the cost to farmers and what compensation is payable; and what action is being taken to eliminate the causes and to reduce the losses in milk and beef.
§ Mr. John MackiePrecise information as to the numbers of calf deaths due to pneumonia and diarrhoea in Nottinghamshire and the cost to farmers is not available. A recent survey of calf mortality from all causes showed in the East Midland region a level of wastage of 5.2 per cent. of calves born.
No compensation is payable for such deaths. A concerted effort is being made by the Advisory Services to educate farmers as to the causes of calf losses 216W and methods to be adopted to reduce them. I hope that the Veterinary Study Groups which have recently been set up will play an important part in this.