§ 49. Mr. MorganTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made an assessment of the economic consequences arising from the use of bovine somatotropin.
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§ Mr. Donald ThompsonAssessments of the possible economic consequences of bovine somatotropin are possible only by making assumptions about the large number of uncertain factors involved. These include the longer term effects, world-wide, on milk yield potential, production costs, the pattern of uptake by producers, agricultural policy, alternative resouce use and consumer reactions. A discussion of some of the factors involved, and their implications, is contained in a paper given by Professor A. Buckwell at the 5th European congress of agricultural economists in September 1987. I am arranging for a copy to be sent to the hon. Member. The particular results outlined in that paper would of course differ if alternative assumptions were deployed.
§ 67. Mr. LitherlandTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with animal welfare organisations about the use of bovine somatotropin.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonMy officials and I have discussed the licensing procedures under the Medicines Act and the possible welfare implications of using bovine somatotropin with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Compassion in World Farming.