Question
What estimate he has made of the number and percentage of herds in the United Kingdom which are closed. - Includes figures.
Answer
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of herds in the United Kingdom which are closed. [37389] Mrs. Browning: There are currently no accurate statistics available on the number of closed herds. The Agricultural Development and Advisory service estimates that the percentage of UK herds that are closed (i) in the beef and dairy sectors are: Dairy herds 45-55 per cent closed Beef herds (suckler cows): 5-10 per cent. closed (i) that is herds which have not brought in any female animals in the last five years.