§ 2. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the total exports of live animals other than for breeding or dairy purposes, and excluding exports from Northern Ireland to the Irish Republic, in the year 1963.
§ Mr. John Mackie28,251 cattle. The returns for other animals do not distinguish between breeding and other stock. The figures are 89,254 sheep and goats and 4,245 pigs.
§ Mr. ShepherdDoes not that mean that we are exporting many thousands of live animals for slaughter each year, and is the hon. Gentleman proposing to do anything to substitute carcase trade for this live trade?
§ Mr. MackieIt is a quite considerable export. The difficulty is that our buyers abroad, as the hon. Gentleman knows, like the meat on the hoof. The Balfour assurances, that is, the assurances given by the importing countries, are such as to protect animals as far as we possibly can from any ill treatment in transit.
§ Mr. SoamesOn both sides of the House and within the hon. Gentleman's own Department, there is a feeling that the more we can switch from the export of live animals to the export of carcases the better this will be from every point of view. Is the hon. Gentleman thinking in 353 these terms and considering taking action likely to lead to an accentuation of the trend?
§ Mr. MackieWe are always prepared to look at improvements, but, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, if the customer wants it the other way, it takes a while to persuade him. We are looking at the matter, but it is a problem.