§ Mr. Bagierasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can now report on the result of the prosecution referred to in his statement of 350W 11th April 1975 concerning export of live sheep to France; and whether the new arrangements he referred to are now in effective operation.
§ Mr. PeartI have now been informed by the French authorities that in a hearing before an examining magistrate it has been decided that there is insufficient evidence to justify further proceedings in the case to which I referred on 11th April 1975.
Since the beginning of April exporters have been required to declare in writing the exact final destination of each consignment of animals when applying for a veterinary inspection certificate. Also since April we have advised the French authorities immediately of the departure and the declared destinations of all consignments of sheep leaving this country for slaughter in France. As a result of these arrangements sheep exported to the more remote parts of France are allowed to travel only where there is assurance that they will be properly rested, fed and watered en route.