§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to accelerate the adoption in the livestock industry of selection of breeding stock by reference to records of performance.
§ Mr. John MackieFrom 1st January, 1966, no bulls of the pure dairy breeds will be licensed in England and Wales without adequate ancestor performance records for lactation and butterfat. The progress of the Beef Recording Association is being assisted by a grant of £1 for every £1 contributed by the industry. The Pig Industry Development Authority is extending its facilities for the performance and progeny testing of boars. The use of records is being encouraged and stimulated by the National Agricultural Advisory Service, and records of performance for livestock will fall within the scope of the grants to encourage the keeping of farm business records which were announced in this year's Annual Review.
§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now appoint to senior positions in his Department more advisers on livestock breeding who have received formal training in population genetics.
§ Mr. John MackieMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that the present staff have adequate training and experience to carry out their duties. We shall of course watch the need for specialised training to keep pace with the demands of the work. As officers with formal training in population genetics come up for promotion I have no doubt that they will move into some of the more senior posts.