§ Mr. Cordleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take to encourage the export of carcase meat rather than live animals.
§ Mr. StrangThere has been a general trend in recent years towards the export of carcase meat rather than animals for slaughter. This is a trend that the Government would wish to see continuing to develop naturally.
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§ Mr. Cordleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department is presently taking to ensure the welfare in transit and on arrival at their destination of live animals exported from the United Kingdom for slaughter.
§ Mr. StrangThe Government allow the export of animals for slaughter only to member States of the EEC and to such other countries as can offer adequate welfare safeguards for these animals.
Before an animal may be exported, it must be rested, fed and watered at approved premises at or near the port of embarkation, and must be given an inspection by a veterinary officer, appointed by my Department, to ensure that it is fit to travel. There are also regulations to protect the welfare of animals whilst travelling by road within this country, and by air or sea from this country. Veterinary staff of my Department maintain close contact with their opposite numbers in the importing countries to ensure that proper arrangements are made for the humane treatment of animals en route to and at their destinations in the importing countries.
Currently all exports of animals for immediate slaughter are to EEC countries. Their welfare in transit is protected by the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Animals in International Transport. All EEC countries have ratified this Convention except the Netherlands, which has its own very comprehensive laws on the subject. The humane slaughter of animals is mandatory throughout the EEC under the terms of Directive No. 74/577.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many instances of alleged mistreatment of live animals exported for slaughter have been reported to his Department since the resumption of export for slaughter in 1975; how many such allegations it has been possible for his Department to investigate thoroughly; and how many such allegations have, upon investigation, proved to have been well founded.
§ Mr. StrangSince January 1975 one specific incident involving the mistreatment of animals exported from this country has been brought to my attention. This concerned sheep exported in March 1975.454W The mater was fully investigated and remedial action taken as explained in my right hon. Friend's statements of 11th April and 1st December 1975.—[Vol. 889, c. 1597–1602; Vol. 901, c. 349–350.] Another case, possibly involving minor breaches of the welfare regulations, is currently under investigation.
Allegations have been made from time to time about the ill-treament of animals in other countries. In most of these cases it has not been shown that the animals came from the United Kingdom; in other cases, the allegations have been too generalised to enable further investigation.