§ 13. Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the numbers of livestock being exported live from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MacleanThe following figures cover exports from the United Kingdom of farm livestock and horses for all purposes during the period January to August 1990 inclusive: cattle 175,975; sheep 295,928; pigs 79,114; goats 107 and horses 3,845.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the Minister confirm that under article 36 of the treaty of Rome he is empowered to take steps to stop the export of live animals from this country if he is satisfied that that action is necessary to protect the health and life of those animals? Given the shocking scenes that we have seen of brutal mistreatment of British animals by rioting French farmers, is not it time that he took steps to bring the international trade in live animals to a halt?
§ Mr. MacleanThe hon. Gentleman should be aware that that matter is subject to judicial review today in the High Court. I cannot comment further on it.
§ Mr. MoateDoes my hon. Friend expect to see those figures increased one day by the export of live horses for slaughter and consumption on the continent, or is he confident that we have the power to stop those new European regulations coming into effect?
§ Mr. MacleanLike everyone in the House, we sincerely hope not. We have had some extremely tough negotiations on the matter and we have made it plain that we support the minimum values principles, which are very good rules and have stood us in long stead. We shall continue fighting so that British horses are not exported live for slaughter and human consumption on the continent.