§ Mr. Langasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Government's attitude to the harvesting of antlers in velvet from live deer in Great Britain: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerThe Agriculture Ministers are grateful to the Farm Animal Welfare Council for its valuable report on this subject, which is published today, and have accepted its major recommedations. Consequently, we propose to introduce four statutory instruments. The effect will be to prohibit the harvesting of antlers in velvet from live deer which are farmed on agricultural land in Great Britain, except when the operation is performed under anaesthetic by a veterinary surgeon, or in an emergency, or when authorised for scientific purposes under other legislation.
My colleagues and I have today laid the first of these instruments—the Welfare of Livestock (Deer) Order—which is a technical measure necessary to extend the provisions of part 1 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 to include deer which are being farmed for their antlers in velvet. This will enable the regulations which prohibit the harvesting of antlers from such deer to be made.
Interested parties will be consulted at once on the other three statutory instruments which are necessary. They are being asked to give their views as quickly as possible. If all the necessary procedures run smoothly, we hope to have these instruments in operation when the season for antlers coming into velvet is at its height.