Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to reduce the effects on the health of cattle of selective breeding for high milk yield.
Answer
In taking steps to reduce the effects on the health of cattle of selective breeding for high milk yield, we fully recognise the need to improve the health, welfare and longevity of dairy cows. This includes enhancing expression and recognition of oestrous, increasing conception rate to artificial insemination, improving energy balance in early lactation, identifying management factors affecting the welfare and longevity of cows, identifying strategies to control milk somatic cell counts and improving the functionality of dairy products through dairy cow nutrition.A comprehensive, integrated programme of collaborative research is currently being undertaken by DEFRA in support of the dairy industry.