Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 9 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 September 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 September 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will estimate how many cattle have been killed because the British Cattle Movement Service has rejected a passport application or notification in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate how many cattle have been killed because the British Cattle Movement Service has rejected a passport application or notification in each of the last five years for which records are available. [189082] Alun Michael: Figures are not held for the number of calves that have been killed as a consequence of being refused passports. There is no compulsion for these calves to be destroyed, heifer calves refused passports may live out full and productive lives on the farm where they were born and any calves born to them may be registered in the normal way. The British Cattle Movement Service merged with the Rural Payments Agency on 1 April 2003.

Secondary information