§ Mr. Corbettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what earliest date he was empowered to make an order under Section 8 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to regulate the export of live food animals in the interest of their welfare; and why such an order was not made.
§ Mr. StrangThe Act received Royal Assent on 15th November 1976. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Ellis) on 11th November.—[Vol. 938, c.295.]
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many 588W of the several hundred complaints received in the last year about alleged ill-reatment of animals exported for food and subsequently investigated related to animals while within the United Kingdom; how many related to animals which had left the United Kingdom; and how many of the complaints being investigated related to animals within the United Kingdom and animals which had left the United Kingdom, respectively.
§ Mr. StrangMost of the complaints received were of a generalised nature and were not capable of investigation. 32 specific complaints were received; all concerned the treatment of animals after export, but one also dealt with treatment in this country.