Report of the Committee to consider the ethical implications of emerging technologies in the breeding of farm animals / Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date:
1995
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Report of the Committee to consider the ethical implications of emerging technologies in the breeding of farm animals / Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    36/94 page 24
    Comments and recommendations 4.25 Alin cattle is a long-established procedure which is relatively straightforward. Provided that an animal is properly housed and handled it does not seem to us that the method by which semen is obtained, or its quality improved, threatens, or threatens to any significant degree, the welfare of bulls. We believe it is important, however, that the system of licensing be maintained. Although the licensing system is not intended primarily as a welfare measure, the requirements to be met in gaining a licence (specifically the requirement that an AI centre be under the control of a veterinary surgeon on a day-to-day basis) and the fact that such centres are subject to regular inspection by the State Veterinary Service, represent important safeguards of the welfare of the animals involved. 4.26 Similarly the discomfort suffered by cows being restrained and artificially inseminated is, we believe, likely to be at worst very slight, supposing that is that the procedure is carried out by a properly trained operative. It should be pointed out of course, that a cow may need to be restrained for natural mating, and that where a bull is oversized or multiple matings take place, discomfort is likely to result. It is nonetheless important that the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained wherever possible, and we recommend that in the review of the approval procedure there should be no relaxation of the requirement that non-veterinarians seeking to carry out this work should have reached a high level of competence. Artificial insemination in sheep (and goats) Technique 4.27 The collection and storage of semen in sheep closely resembles the practice in cattle — semen is collected from rams using an artificial vagina and can be frozen. Insemination, however, presents many more problems in sheep than in cattle because of anatomical differences. Although non-surgical intra-vaginal insemination can be used for ewes, it is not widely practised. Another non-surgical technique which is being explored is transcervical insemination, whereby semen is deposited into the uterus by means of a pipette inserted through the cervix. Laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) is the more usual technique, where semen is injected directly into the uterus by a pipette. The technique involves the animal being inverted in a restraining cradle, and administra- tion of either general anaesthetic, or local anaesthesia usually with sedation. Small incisions are then made in the abdominal wall for the insertion of the laparoscope and the inseminating pipette. The technique for goats is similar. Current regulations 4.28 Laparoscopy in sheep and goats is an act of veterinary surgery which, under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, can be only be performed by a veterinarian. Though there are regulations relating to the health and trade aspects of AI in sheep and goats, which serve to protect these animals against disease, there are no further regulations relating specifically to the use of these techniques. Welfare concerns 4.29 Concerns.about the obtaining of semen would be essentially the same as those expressed in relation to bulls. As regards insemination, however, the issues are obviously different from those arising in the case of cattle. In the case of non-surgical Al, the handling of the animals can present problems, and with intra-vaginal AI the technique may bring risks of infection. The transcervical technique is also problematic: the insertion of a pipette through the cervix is very difficult to accomplish without causing damage (because of the complex, folded nature of the ewe’s cervix) and laparoscopic AI, which maybe less traumatic for the animal, is nonetheless an invasive procedure. Prior to surgery it may be necessary to withdraw food and water; during surgery the animal must be inverted and this may cause distress; the timing of the
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