§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the number and percentage of lame sheep in the national flock; [16337]
(2) if he will make a statement about the results of the recent survey by his Department into lameness in sheep; and what action he intends to take to attempt to reduce the number of lame sheep in the national flock; [16338]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 22 February 1996]: The Government are concerned that sheep lameness is a significant problem both for welfare and economic reasons. We are currently running an advisory campaign and, following recommendations in the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on the welfare of sheep, propose to amend the welfare code for sheep to emphasise the importance of appropriate prevention and treatment.
We have, in addition, been funding the Royal Veterinary college to carry out a study into ovine lameness. The first part of the study, a survey of a random sample of sheep holdings, found a reported incidence of lameness of about 8 per cent. in 1993–94. This is now being followed up by on-farm investigations into the different causes of lameness with a view to developing improved methods of control.