§ Mr. R. W. Elliottasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the number of contraventions of the 1957 Balfour Assurances on the export of animals for slaughter which have been brought to his attention in the current year.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe contraventions of the Balfour Assurances reported to my Department this year came from a number of sources, but all related to slaughter which were then re-exported to France. This breached the Balfour408W Assurances in more than one respect, and a considerable number of animals were involved.
With the co-operation of the Belgian authorities new safeguards have been agreed, and these should prevent such contraventions in the future.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he remains satisfied that live animals are not subjected to unnecessary cruelty in transport when being exported abroad; and how he satisfies himself that the animals are killed in a humane way in accordance with the code of practice recommended by the Balfour Committee.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI am satisfied that, in general, exported animals are not subjected to unnecessary cruelty while being transported. The Governments of the countries to which live animals are exported for slaughter have all given undertakings that they will ensure that this is carried out humanely and in accordance with the recommendations of the Balfour Committee. We rely on their co-operation to ensure that these undertakings are fulfilled.