HC Deb 08 December 1970 vol 808 cc227-9
12. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take to prevent cruelty in the transportation of calves to the Continent by sea and in their subsequent slaughter.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The Balfour assurances were designed to ensure adequate welfare standards for animals exported from this country for immediate slaughter. I am making available in the Library now copies of a statement which gives the result of inquiries made by my Department about a recent export of calves to Belgium, and which I will with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. My right hon. Friend is considering whether any change in our existing policy is required.

Mr. Turton

Can my hon. Friend be a bit more explicit about the report that he is placing in the Library? Is he aware of evidence that there has been considerable flouting of the Balfour assurances recently in the export of calves to Belgium and that the whole country wishes the Government to take action to stop this very cruel trade?

Mr. Stodart

That is precisely why the report is being circulated. It is of some length, and it was felt that it would be more to the convenience of the House if it was not given at the end of Questions in view of various other statements which are to be made. The answers for which my right hon. Friend asks are to be found in the report.

Mr. Spriggs

At what points is the welfare of these animals checked to see whether cruelty is taking place?

Mr. Stodart

The animals go out of the control of the British Government once they are landed at the port of disembarkation on the other side. They are there checked by our own authorities.

Following is the information:

Export of Calves

Statement by Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in reply to Parliamentary Question from Mr. Turton (Thirsk and Malton).

The main allegations about the welfare of calves recently exported to Belgium were that some were underweight for the journey and, in some cases, had been re-exported; and that, contrary to the Balfour agreement, others had travelled further than 100 kilometres from the point of disembarkation and were slaughtered inhumanely.

The allegation that calves are leaving Britain underweight is a domestic matter which is still being investigated. I shall take any action justified by the investigation.

The allegation about the distance travelled in Belgium by animals exported for immediate slaughter has been substantiated and the Belgian authorities have assured us of their intention to see that the Balfour limit is effectively enforced in future.

The allegation about cruelty in the slaughter of calves at a particular slaughterhouse in Belgium has been denied, and is still under investigation by the Belgian authorities. Belgian law governing the slaughter of animals is no less stringent than ours. It requires that animals at slaughter must be stunned (electrically or by captive bolt pistol) or anaesthetised and it makes provision for the welfare of animals awaiting slaughter. On general hygiene grounds the Belgian authorities have in the meantime withdrawn their approval of this slaughterhouse.

Belgian arrangements also prohibit the reexport of slaughter animals imported from Britain. The Balfour Assurances do not place any restriction on the re-export of animals imported for further fattening, and the calves to which the allegation about re-export related were in this category.

I should like to place on record that throughout our enquiries we have received the fullest co-operation from the Belgian authorities.