§ 11. Mr. Greenwayasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to visit the Southall horse market; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerI have no plans at present to visit the market. My veterinary staff attend the market and are able to monitor and encourage compliance with the voluntary code of practice on horse markets.
§ Mr. GreenwayDoes my hon. Friend accept that the voluntary code of practice does not seem to work at Southall, and that inspectors of the Horses and Ponies Protection Association, I and many other people regard the state of affairs there as wholly cruel? Horses and ponies are abused by being left unfed and unwatered for long periods of time. They are not properly presented for sale and they are not properly loaded into boxes when they are removed from Southall. Is it not now time to do something to stop such serious animal abuse?
§ Mrs. FennerThere have been considerable improvements of facilities and conditions generally in that market, as my hon. Friend was good enough to acknowledge when he last raised the matter on 16 May. He will know that the Farm Animal Welfare Council is studying the whole question of horses' welfare in markets, and we believe that it is right to await its recommendations for any further action.