HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 cc541-2
8. Miss Fookes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the EEC Council of Agriculture Ministers on the question of ending the export of live animals for slaughter.

Mr. Strang

The Commission has now tabled proposals for improving the protection of animals during international transport. We shall press for early discussion on these in the Council.

Miss Fookes

May I ask the Minister to press with equal enthusiasm the notion that the export of live animals for slaughter from this country should be stopped? Will the Government please stop pussyfooting on this issue?

Mr. Strang

I cannot accept that the Government are pussyfooting on this issue. I hope that the hon. Lady will accept that not only should we be concerned about animal welfare in this country but that, indeed, we should be concerned internationally and that we should do everything possible to reduce the unnecessary suffering of livestock.

Mr. Gwynfor Evans

Will the Minister and his right hon. Friend give every possible assistance to building abattoirs of EEC standards in the areas where the animals are produced, so avoiding the necessity for long transport trips?

Mr. Strang

Yes, indeed. The hon. Gentleman is aware that it is Government policy to encourage the slaughter of animals in this country. Indeed, that is why we provide significant grants for the modernisation of slaughterhouses.

Mr. Ronald Atkins

In view of the protracted nature of the EEC discussions, will the Minister take legal action to prevent those live exports that are against the law?

Mr. Strang

Certainly. If my hon. Friend can bring any instances of lawbreaking to our attention, we shall pursue the matter. As to the EEC directive, we should bear in mind that there already is a general directive which we were involved in pursuing when we had the presidency. We are now talking about an implementing directive, which is an important and recent proposal and on which we want to see a decision soon.