§ Mr. Welshasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many commercial and experimental deer farms exist in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement on the future of commercial deer farming in these two countries;
(2) what research his Department is currently undertaking on commercial deer farming; and when he expects to publish the latest findings of such research.
§ Mr. BishopPark and fallow deer are cropped on a commercial basis in some areas of England and Wales, but official estimates of the extent of this are not available. All research is being carried out in Scotland but includes investigations into the susceptibility of red deer to certain diseases under the auspices of the Ministry's Central Veterinary Laboratory at Weybridge, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.