HC Deb 25 May 1966 vol 729 c456
20. Mr. Bessell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now introduce further legislation to protect live animals exported for the purposes of slaughter.

Mr. John Mackie

No, Sir. I believe that the existing arrangements provide reasonable safeguards.

Mr. Bessell

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that there have been a number of reports recently of unnecessary cruelty? Will he undertake to look at this matter again?

Mr. Mackie

Various cases of cruelty have been reported to us but upon investigation we have discovered that many of the allegations were unfounded.

Mr. Peter Mills

Will the Minister bear in mind how important it is to safeguard these animals? Will he also bear in mind that the export of old cows, old ewes and old sows has been of tremendous importance to agriculture?

Mr. Mackie

We do bear that very much in mind.