§ Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at which British ports the 15,362 store cattle and calves exported to Italy in January/ March 1976 were embarked; what destinations were shown on the export licences; what was the longest journey travelled by a consignment; what was the estimated time of travel after embarkation in the United Kingdom; and by what means they were transported.
§ Mr. StrangThe animals concerned were exported by air, more than half of them going from Manston Airport and most of the remainder from Stansted, Southend and Exeter airports. They went to various airports in Italy, selected as being the most convenient to their final destinations. I cannot, for reasons of commercial confidence, indicate each exact final destination, but the veterinary staff of my Department who are required to examine the stock before departure were satisfied on each occasion that the animals concerned could be conveyed to their final destination without unacceptable stress. The average flight time was three hours. In all cases the animals were rested, fed and watered before their journey and given an official veterinary examination to ensure that they were fit to travel.