HC Deb 15 October 1969 vol 788 cc85-6W
Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to the compulsory slaughter of cows known to have brucella in their milk whether or not they are in a herd being tested under the Ministry scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

Our immediate objective is to sustain the present encouraging progress in building up an adequate register of brucella-free herds through the voluntary Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme. I am concerned that available veterinary resources should not be diverted from this key task. As my predecessor explained, in reply to the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Kitson) on 2nd November, 1966, the establishment of this Register is an essential preliminary to any wider measures towards eradication of brucellosis, including compulsory slaughter.—[Vol. 735, c. 96.]