Bovine Tuberculosis Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Christopher
Main Page: Lord Christopher (Labour - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Christopher's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Bovine Tuberculosis
Lord Christopher Excerpts(12 years, 3 months ago)
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Lord De Mauley
My Lords, my noble friend will know that a great number of professionals, scientists and experts are already involved in this process. There is also, indeed, an independent panel which will monitor the results of the cull, and we are extremely grateful for all the advice that we get.
Lord Christopher
My Lords, there have been probably inescapable pressures on farmers to manage cattle as they do. Will the Government also look, among the options, at any evidence suggesting that the resistance of our present herds has been lowered not least as a result of inbreeding? For example, how many bulls are responsible today for our white cattle herds of Holsteins and Friesians?
Lord De Mauley
My Lords, I have heard no evidence that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of TB.