§ 38. Mr. Jayasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the exercise of his powers, he will now prohibit the export of meat and live cattle from this country.
§ Sir G. HoweNo. I am advised by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that such action would not be appropriate in the present situation.
5W
§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the total number of sheep exported from the United Kingdom for immediate slaughter, and the number exported to each country of destination, in each month during 1972;
(2) what was the total number of cattle exported from the United Kingdom for immediate slaughter and the number exported to each country of destination in each month of 1972;
NUMBER OF ANIMALS† All countries Irish Republic Belgium Netherlands France West Germany Switzerland All other countries Sheep—other than for breeding January … 26,049 11,258 13,830 — — — 961 — February … 20,449 2,562 17,887 — — — — — March … 25,022 1,648 23,063 — — — 295 16 April … 20,143 1,058 18,880 22 — — 183 — May … 12,204 5,215 6,943 46 — — — — June … 15,378 9,903 5,475 — — — — — July … 10,894 8,008 2,886 — — — — — August … 16,332 13,024 3,308 — — — — — September … 27,809 24,452 3,357 — — — — — October … 23,205 15,201 7,424 576 — — — 4 November … 28,909 18,185 10,724 — — — — — Fat Cattle January … 5,315 3,932 237 1,146 — — — — February … 5,620 3,271 582 1,569 — 198 — — March … 6,338 3,618 851 1,702 — 167 — — April … 8,212 6,547 594 965 — 106 — — May … 11,662 7,171 2,061 1,597 — 833 — — June … 18,244 7,009 4,490 4,420 302 2,023 — — July … 14,128 5,472 3,114 3,125 517 1,900 — — August … 10,423 7,074 1,320 1,754 275 — — — September … 15,538 6,569 4,356 3,106 63 1,444 — — October … 12,745 6,295 3,405 2,138 — 907 — — November … 13,904 6,609 3,118 2,261 243 1,673 — — Sows and boars* January … — 1,068 — — — — — — February … — 583 — — — — — — March … — 823 — — — — — — April … — 1,244 — — — — — — May … — 905 — — — — — — June … — 1,490 — — — — — — July … — 1,185 — — — — — — August … — 1,648 — — — — — — September … — 1,354 — — — — — — October … — 1,337 — — — — — — November … — 1,554 — — — — — — * Sows and boars exported to countries other than the Irish Republic are believed to be mainly for breeding purposes. † Figures for December are not yet available.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will exercise his existing powers to ban exports of meat and live animals until prices have returned to a lower level.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerNo. I am advised by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, that such
6W(3) what was the total number of pigs exported from the United Kingdom for immediate slaughter and the number exported to each country of destination in each month of 1972.
§ Sir G. HoweAnimals for slaughter are not distinguished as such in the export statistics but the figures given below relate to categories of sheep, cattle and pigs which are believed to be exported for this purpose:
action would not be appropriate in the present situation.