§ 1. Sir J. Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many live cattle and sheep have been exported from Scottish ports in each month of this year; and what number was exported for slaughter in this total.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Agriculture, Scottish Office (Mr. Alick Buchanan-Smith)Up to the end of November a total of 7, 971 cattle had been exported by sea, all for immediate slaughter. With permission, I will circulate the monthly figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In addition a total of 203 cattle and 12 sheep were exported by air for breeding purposes.
§ Sir J. GilmourDoes my hon. Friend agree that in the interests of our economy, of efficiency and of animal welfare it would be much better to aim at the exporting of cattle as carcases and not as live animals?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI agree that there is certainly scope for the export of carcases. At the same time my hon. Friend must realise that we are careful about the welfare aspects and we export animals only to those countries which have given the Balfour Assurances.
§ Following are the figures:
| EXPORTS OF LIVE CATTLE FROM SCOTTISH PORTS IN 1972 FOR SLAUGHTER | |
| Monthly Total | |
| January | 83 |
| February | 49 |
| March | 214 |
| April | 1,966 |
| May | 2,098 |
| June | 1,967 |
| July | 482 |
| August | 230 |
| September | 172 |
| October | 386 |
| November | 324 |