§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has studied the report dated 31st July with regard to consignments of live ponies shipped to the Continent on 26th and 27th July which has been sent to the Parliamentary Secretary by the hon. Member for Antrim, South; what steps he is taking to prevent unnecessary suffering to ponies shipped from Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartYes.
I am satisfied that there are adequate safeguards in the existing regulations to prevent unnecessary suffering to ponies while being shipped from Great Britain.
§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state, in table form, the numbers of ponies exported to Europe for breeding or riding and for slaughter, respectively, during each of the past 12 months for which figures are available.
§ Mr. PeartThe numbers of ponies exported for breeding or riding purposes which have been inspected by my Department's Veterinary Inspectors in the last twelve months are as follows:
385W
October 1966 … … 767 November 1966 … … 772 December 1966 … … 196 January 1967 … … 122 February 1967 … … 161 March 1967 … … 142 April 1967 … … 232 May 1967 … … 386 June 1967 … … 333 July 1967 … … 346 August 1967 … … 421 September 1967 … … 331 Total … … 4,209 In no case has slaughter been shown as the purpose of export in applications made to my Department in respect of ponies.