§ Mr. Copeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that the Milk Marketing Board will provide an artificial insemination service to all areas of England and Wales as long as the regulations in Statutory Instrument 1977 No. 1260 are in force.
§ Mr. Strang:The Board is licensed under the regulations to provide an inseminator service in an area covering most, but not all, of England and Wales. I am not aware of any intention by the Board to cease providing this service. but should it cease to do so in all or any part of its area a licence application from any other organisation would be considered.
§ Mr. Copeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the Milk Marketing Board in England and Wales is subject to more restrictive controls than the Scottish Milk Marketing Board over do-it-yourself artificial insemination, for its own artificial insemination service to remain viable.
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§ Mr. Strang :The controls over artificial insemination applicable in the area covered by the Milk Marketing Board differ from those applicable in the area covered by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board only in that amount of semen which may be stored in farm flasks in Scotland is more than is permitted in England and Wales. This reflects differing operating and geographical factors in the two areas. My right hon. Friend the Minister is considering a proposal by the National Farmers' Union and the National Cattle Breeders' Association that the Scottish limit should apply throughout Great Britain.
§ Mr. Copeasked the Minister for Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will direct the Milk Marketing Board, in its application of S.I., 1977, No. 1260, not to enforce a monopoly of the supply to farmers who undertake do-it-yourself artificial insemination of such products as paper towels, thermometers and protective gloves.
§ Mr. Strang:The regulations in question do not give the Board a monopoly of the supply of these products. and the Board is not in a position to enforce one.