§ 29. Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that meat carcases imported into the United Kingdom from the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul are only from animals which have been humanely pre-stunned before being slaughtered.
§ Mr. John MackieNo, Sir. Although we support the international work O.E.C.D. is doing to promote humane slaughter, we would not feel justified in attempting to impose our own standards on other countries unilaterally.
§ Sir R. RussellWhy not? Why must we import presumably very small quantities of beef from Brazil if the animals have not been pre-stunned before slaughter?
§ Mr. MackieWe allow in this country for religious reasons types of slaughter other than pre-stunned humane slaughter. We could not unilaterally impose standards irrespective of the percentage of meat which comes from Brazil.