§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the recent increase in the French tariff on horse carcases results in horses which would otherwise be killed in this country being exported alive to France; and whether, with a view to preventing traffic in worn-out horses, he will take action to prohibit the export of aged horses of little value?
Mr. GUINNESSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There has been a small revival of the trade in live horses to France since the imposition of the increased French tariff on horse-meat. According to the Ministry's records, 77 horses were shipped alive to France for the purpose of slaughter during the months of February to May, inclusive, but no shipments have apparently been made since 19th May. The requirements of the Exportation of Horses Acts, 1910 and 1914, which prohibit the shipment of any horse unless it is fit to travel without cruelty and is also capable of being worked without suffering, continue to be rigidly enforced. Under this law it is not possible to ship worn-out horses nor horses so advanced in years as to be unfit for further work.