§ 69. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what demand there has been for semen from the two Charolais bulls in Perth and Aberdeen over the last few months.
§ Mr. RossThere are two Charolais bulls at Southbar and one at Aberdeen; there are none at Perth, the centre there drawing Charolais semen as required from Southbar. During the period from 1st January to 31st May, 1965, Charolais inseminations from these centres represented about 3 per cent. of the total 91W inseminations from beef bulls of all types during this period.
§ 70. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the tests on the Charolais cattle, about which firm guarantees were given, have been completed, and, in particular, whether the field tests have been completed in. Scotland.
§ Mr. RossInformation available from completed trials in England has shown the Charolais's usefulness as an additional crossing breed under certain conditions. The field tests in Scotland are practically completed, but a considerable amount of work remains to be done on carcase assessment and on analysing the data.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assurances have been received from other countries as to the effect of the importation of Charolais on the British cattle export trade; and what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to discover the policies of those countries in this regard.
§ Mr. RossI understand that there were consultations with a number of countries at the time of the original importation of Charolais bulls in 1961, as a result of which the Government saw no reason why an importation of Charolais bulls should give rise to any interference with Britain's traditional export trade in cattle. The veterinary precautions taken have provided adequate animal health safeguards and there is no reason to think that the further importation of Charolais cattle now in train will affect the situation.