HC Deb 29 February 1996 vol 272 cc985-6
4. Mr. Connarty

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met his European counterparts to discuss the welfare of farm animal exports. [16100]

Mrs. Browning

The Council of Agriculture Ministers negotiated an important agreement on the welfare of animals in transport in June 1995. My right hon. and learned Friend and his predecessor have had bilateral contact with a number of their counterparts since then, on a variety of issues including animal welfare.

Mr. Connarty

Given the wish of the farming industry to maintain the reputation of British beef exports, does the Minister share our concern about the allegations made in the "Dispatches" programme of 17 January that local veterinary inspections of calves were not carried out to ensure either that they did not have foot and mouth or that they did not come from mothers that had connections with BSE? If the Minister shares that concern, can she explain why Jonathan Stirling, the veterinary surgeon accused of those malpractices, has been reinstated before the inquiry has come to a conclusion?

Mrs. Browning

We take very seriously any allegations of the kind that the hon. Gentleman has outlined and that were flagged up in the "Dispatches" programme. The programme makers have made available to us documentation which is being rigorously inspected. However, I point out to the hon. Gentleman that, as in other cases where people are accused of something, it is part of our culture that people are innocent until proven guilty. We would not wish to take action against an individual until the allegations had been properly investigated, which is what is happening.

Mr. Gale

I thank my hon. Friend for her continued efforts in bringing about the end of the use of veal crates on mainland Europe and securing humane transport conditions. Will not the protocol, to which my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food referred a few moments ago, help that process enormously? Is it not a prime example of the Government pursuing unilateral action in Europe? Do they not deserve support for that?

Mrs. Browning

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He has clearly identified the Government's policy, which has been opposed by the Opposition in the past year. If we are to succeed, whether with veal crates or with transport regulations, in improving the welfare of animals in transit and the methods by which they are reared, we must gain the prize of high standards across the European Union—not just apply them here, never mind what happens across the channel. We are making very good progress on those issues. The European dimension is important to the welfare of animals.

Mr. Morley

Do not the irregularities exposed in the Channel 4 programme "Dispatches" demonstrate that it would be far better if animals being exported were inspected by an independent veterinary body rather than allowing exporters to choose their own veterinary surgeons? Is it not true that the Minister's Department produced the Morris report which demonstrated a range of serious failings in that area? Why has that report been suppressed and not made available for hon. Members to read it?

Mrs. Browning

The Morris report was an internal document, and such reports are not usually made public. I can, however, assure the hon. Gentleman that all the points raised in that internal document have been addressed and its recommendations have been actioned.