HC Deb 24 February 1988 vol 128 cc293-4
10. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to implement in Scotland the recommendations of the Farm Animal Welfare Council on conditions at horse markets and sales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Government's response to the council's report on the welfare of livestock at markets, announced in October last year, accepted that legislation should be introduced to cover horse markets and other sales. Proposals for a new order and code of practice to apply throughout Great Britain are now being prepared.

Mr. Greenway

Is my hon. Friend aware that the standards for cattle markets and sales are much higher than those for horses and ponies? As the Farm Animal Welfare Council has pointed out, those applying to horses and ponies are very unsatisfactory. Would my hon. Friend and Scotland like to set an example and make the proposed voluntary code statutory, so that horses and ponies receive better treatment?

Mr. Forsyth

I know of my hon. Friend's interest in the matter: indeed, he has a constituency interest. Our preference in general is to legislate only where there is a clear need for statutory safeguards. Guidance to those using and operating markets is, we feel, more a matter for codes of practice. However, the detailed proposals will be issued for consultation in the summer, and I am sure that my hon. Friend's arguments will be taken into consideration.

Mr. Ron Brown

Was there not a lot of horse trading going on when Guinness took over Distillers, which was an illegal and corrupt act—

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is the wrong sort of horse.