Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons his Department has not published a list of dangerous cattle breeds.
[157672]
Answer
There is a list of seven breeds of dairy bull that are prohibited from land crossed by public rights of way in section 59 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Bulls of all other breeds, if aged over 10 months, are also banned from such fields unless accompanied by
cows or heifers. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs may by order add or remove any breed from the list.
There are no prohibitions on other specific breeds of cattle, as records kept by the Health and Safety Executive indicate that there is no evidence that certain cattle breeds are more dangerous to the public than others.
Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires farmers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, they do not put members of the public at risk by their work activities. This section applies to keeping any cattle that could be a known risk where there is public access.