§ 8. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the effects of the recent measures to restrict the shipment of cattle from England, Wales and Scotland for slaughter on the Continent; and to what extent direct shipment from British ports has now been replaced by shipment by way of Ireland so aggravating the risks of hardship and cruelty.
Mr. AmoryI am satisfied that the measures introduced last August have removed any reasonable grounds for complaint about this traffic from Great 374 Britain. Although cattle bred in Ireland are being exported from Irish ports to the Continent I understand that only high quality stock for breeding have left this country for Ireland since that date.
§ Lady TweedsmuirCan my right hon. Friend say what action has been taken by continental Governments on receiving these shipments of cattle?
Mr. AmoryThe Governments concerned have now all given us the assurances which we required, and to the best of our knowledge the assurances given are being carried out.
§ Mr. ChampionCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why, following his announcement in July this year, exports of cattle from this country to Ireland went up from £359,000 worth in July to nearly £l million worth in August?
Mr. AmoryI think there has been a misunderstanding. There have been no exports from this country to Eire in the last few months, other than a trifling number of high quality animals for breeding. They total, since the beginning of the year, only 43. Apart from high quality animals for breeding, there has been no export of cattle from Great Britain to Southern Ireland.
§ Mr. ChampionAs I understand it, those figures were supplied by the Ministry, but I will look into the matter and communicate with the right hon. Gentleman.