HC Deb 09 November 1970 vol 806 cc48-9W
Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends taking to ensure that livestock consigned between British ports are not shipped in bad weather conditions.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

None. Legal responsibility for assessing the anticipated weather conditions against the possibility of serious injury or suffering to, or loss of life among, the animals to be shipped rests with the master of the vessel.

Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that ships carrying livestock between British ports are provided with a humane killer and that an operative trained in its use is aboard.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The law already places a duty on owners and masters to see that their vessels are provided with an approved killing instrument, and a master is required to have slaughtered any animal on board which has a broken limb or is otherwise seriously injured, unless he is satisfied that it can be kept alive and led away without cruelty. The master must therefore ensure that someone is available who can operate the killing instrument satisfactorily.