HC Deb 01 December 1977 vol 940 cc709-10
16. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has been taken to implement the O'Brien Committee Report on the Export of Live Animals for Slaughter.

19. Mr. Terry Walker

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to conclude his review of the export of live animals from the United Kingdom.

Mr. Strang

The main recommendations of this report were that a permanent ban on the export of animals for slaughter was not justified and that the animals' best protection lay in the introduction of common European welfare regulations. The Government, with the approval of the House, decided in January 1975 that sufficient progres had been made in Europe and in improving national surveillance and controls to justify the resumption of the trade to those few countries which had adequate welfare safeguards.

As my hon. Friends are aware, my right hon. Friend the Minister announced in July a review of the developments in the export of live animals since its resumption, and I expect this to be completed early in the new year.

Mr. Lipton

I do not thank my hon. Friend for that reply at all. Will he say why it is that after so long excuses are still being made for the continuation of this horrible traffic? Some of us are getting sick and tired of the excuses being made for not taking adequate and immediate action on this matter.

Mr. Strang

My hon. Friend may not be thankful for my reply, but he will at least welcome the fact that my right hon. Friend is setting up an inquiry into the matter. I am hopeful that the results that will come out of that inquiry will respond in some way to my hon. Friend's concern.

Mr. Terry Walker

Will my hon. Friend give an asurance that when this review does become public we shall have a chance to debate it in the House?

Mr. Strang

My hon. Friend will recognise that that is a matter for the Leader of the House, but of course there will be a great deal of interest in the outcome of this review.

Mr. Charles Morrison

Can the Minister say how many prosecutions there have been for breaches of the regulations on the export of animals? Is he satisfied that those who are responsible have upheld the regulations and are doing so properly?

Mr. Strang

The hon. Gentleman would be well advised to await the outcome of the review, when we shall be able to bring all this information together.

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