§ 5. Mr. Greenwayasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on conditions at cattle markets and animal sales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerThe council is still engaged on its comprehensive review of the welfare of farm animals and horses at markets, and it is not yet possible to say when its report will be available.
§ Mr. GreenwayBearing in mind the cruelty by neglect that is suffered by calves, foals, horses and other animals in transit, will my hon. Friend extend the inquiry to the transportation of animals and use that as a lever to achieve a similar inquiry throughout the EC, bearing in mind that Russia and Poland export about 1 million horses to western European countries for slaughter every year? These horses are in transit for about 1,000 km without exercise, food or water over many days. That is disgraceful and cruel, and something should be done to prevent it.
§ Mrs. FennerWe already have legislation that bears on the transit of live animals. In our negotiations and talks in Europe we constantly seek and, indeed achieve, harmonised directives so that our extremely good regulations shall hold sway throughout the European Community.