Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether firms or individuals proposing to operate an artificial insemination service for animals require his approval.
§ Mr. ViggersNo. A licence is required from the Department of Agriculture.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Strangford of 11 May, whether the licensing of the artificial insemination services to AI Services (NI) Society Ltd. gives this firm a monopoly for artificial insemination services in Northern Ireland;
(2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Strangford of 11 May, whether other private persons or firms can undertake an artificial insemination service in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 27 May 1988]: AI Services (Northern Ireland) Society Ltd. will be the only organisation authorised to undertake the artificial insemination of cattle on farms in Northern Ireland through a technician service.
Other private persons or firms can be licensed by the Department of Agriculture to sell semen to cattle producers who will continue to be free to buy semen from other sources other than Al Services and to perform artificial insemination on their own cows under licence from the Department of Agriculture.