§ 22. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can yet give an estimate of the livestock losses suffered by farmers during the recent periods of bad weather.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerReports indicate that whilst there have been a few individual heavy livestock losses, they are not, in total, much above those expected in a normal winter. Hill sheep are the most vulnerable to severe weather. A precise estimate of losses is not possible but a better picture will emerge as lambing proceeds. Farmers generally were able to take precautionary measures to protect sheep and other livestock, particularly those threatened by flooding. This timely action undoubtedly kept losses down.