§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the percentage of fallen(a)calves, (b)adult bovines and (c)sheep that are buried on farms in (i) England and (ii) Wales. [61493]
§ Mr. MorleyThe central burial or burning of fallen stock is not permitted except in emergency situations such as the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001. We do not collect information on the routine disposal of fallen stock, but the state veterinary service carried out small-scale surveys in the years 1998–2000. The results, which may not be representative, suggest that the following proportions of fallen cattle and sheep were burned or buried on farm in Great Britain over those years; adult bovines ranged from 15–20 per cent.; calves 20–25 per cent. and sheep 65–75 per cent.