HL Deb 11 October 1990 vol 522 cc403-5

Lord Boyd-Carpenter asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking with the French authorities to stop the violent interference taking place in France with British exports of lamb and mutton, and the cruelty to live animals exported from the United Kingdom to France.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)

My Lords, we thoroughly deplore recent incidents in France involving attacks on imported lamb, beef and live sheep. We have taken every opportunity to make our views known to the French authorities, who have given assurances that compensation will be paid. We are determined that everything possible should be done to ensure the safety of British drivers, livestock and vehicles and we shall continue to press this point with the French authorities.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Can she say whether free movement of British agricultural produce into France now exists? If it does not exist, will she suggest to the energetic Mr. Delors, who is always reminding us of the duties of members of the EC, that he might pay some attention to the obligations of his own country in this respect?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, pressure on the French has brought results. The French authorities have set up a special crisis unit to handle incidents. They have offered special protection for consignments travelling through France and where necessary they have brought in the riot police. Legal proceedings are under way against the perpetrators in a number of incidents. Currently the number of incidents has receded. I believe that the French authorities are in no doubt about our view of the unlawful action taken by their farmers.

Lord Gallacher

My Lords, can the Minister tell the House whether her right honourable friend the Minister, in discussions with his opposite number, has made clear that the balance of trade in food and drink between France and the United Kingdom is heavily in France's favour and that if France persists in practices which are a disgrace to the farming community as such there is a possibility that British consumers may decide that certain goods can be obtained from places other than France, often of equal quality and at lower prices?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, retaliatory action by British farmers against French produce would be unlawful and would only weaken our position in bringing pressure to bear on the French. This country has behaved in a proper communautaire fashion with regard to Perrier water, wine, cheese and other French imports.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that the people of this country who properly have a great feeling for animals were appalled by the pictures they saw on their television screens of animals being butchered and burnt by the insensitive and cruel French? Is it not a fact that in one year's time the position will be made even worse by the removal of the cost ceiling which will enable even thoroughbred horses to be exported for meat to France and other nations under EC regulations? Bearing in mind what is happening, will the Government take a much stronger line in order to protect livestock being exported from this country and cruelly treated elsewhere?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, the noble Lord said that people had been appalled. I wish to number myself among those people. With regard to horses, we are fighting extremely hard for the retention of the minimum values which exist in this country and we shall continue to do so. There is a particularly strong feeling in the country in support of the retention of minimum values.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, during the recess a number of Welsh farmers made representations to me about the disgraceful conduct, for which there is no possible excuse. Can the Minister be more explicit about the compensation to which she referred in her Answer? Who has applied for compensation? Is it from government to government or by some other way? Can she be precise about the amount of compensation expected, how it is to be assessed and the procedures that are to be followed?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, on several occasions the French Government have given assurances that compensation for losses arising as a direct result of incidents will be forthcoming. Currently claims are being prepared by insurance companies and loss adjusters and they will be submitted to the French Government once finalised.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, can my noble friend make clear whether the British agricultural export trade to France is now back to normal? I do not believe that she did so in her original Answer.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, British trade is continuing and the incidents have diminished. This is an important part of the year and France is by far our biggest export market. So far as I am aware, the incidents have decreased and the policing has increased. I am not aware that any recent incidents have taken place. Therefore, your Lordships may assume that trade is continuing.

Lord Walpole

My Lords, does the Minister agree that it would be far better and less cruel if live animals were not transported, however carefully, over long distances between farms and abattoirs?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, a complete ban on all animals would contravene the Treaty of Rome. In any case, importers would switch to alternative suppliers of live animals. The subject of exports is currently under judicial review and I should hate to say anything that might prejudice the matter. However, a ban on sheep would be counter-productive in welfare terms because French farmers would believe that they could commit further atrocities in order to stop future exports.

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