§ 14. Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) (Lab)What plans she has to change the rules relating to the transportation of live animals. [185757]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr. Ben Bradshaw)Following the failure earlier this year to agree new EU rules on animal welfare during transport, the Government's priority is now to ensure that the current rules are enforced properly in all member states.
§ Mr. KidneyI continue to receive representations from constituents about maximum journey times and 483 travel conditions for live animals, as may other Members and Ministers. The draft Animal Welfare Bill contains a new rule-making power, so is it the Government's intention to make new rules to provide for the more humane transportation of live animals in Europe, and will they do that whether or not they have the support of other EU nations?
§ Mr. BradshawI share my hon. Friend's concern. We were deeply disappointed that, despite the best efforts of the Irish presidency and countries of a like mind to the United Kingdom, which wanted strict limits on journeys, we were unable to achieve a majority and that in fact the less welfare-minded countries were able to block any meaningful improvement on the status quo. However, we think that implementing the existing rules properly in a number of countries—not least the accession countries—will lead to a big improvement in animal welfare overall. My hon. Friend is right: the Animal Welfare Bill, which we published last week, introduces for the first time a duty of care, and will apply not only to pets but to all animals. That should help to improve animal welfare across the board.