§ Sir R. LYNNasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed by the Government of Northern Ireland to consider the transit, prices and marketing of agricultural produce; and whether he is taking steps to give effect to the particular recommendation that the detention period for Northern Ireland livestock entering ports in Great Britain should be substantially curtailed, if not cancelled altogether?
Mr. GUINNESSMy attention had not previously been drawn to the Report referred to by my hon. Friend. The 10 hours' detention at ports of arrival in Great Britain was imposed to enable the Ministry's inspectors to examine the animals as a precaution against the introduction of disease and on humanitarian grounds to give them necessary rest, food and water after the voyage. In some cases the inspectors find that the animals do not recover from the fatigue of the crossing within the 10 hours, and further detention is necessary before they are fit to travel to inland destinations. I regret, therefore, that I cannot contemplate any reduction of the detention period.