§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to introduce legislation banning the export of baby veal calves for slaughter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WigginThe export trade in calves is strictly regulated under existing legislation. A minimum weight of 50 kg. has to be reached before a calf is permitted to be exported. Calves, which are due for export, have to be rested for a least 10 hours and offered food and water at Government-approved export lairages. During this rest period the animals have to be inspected by a Government veterinary surgeon and only those animals which are certified by him as fit to travel can be exported.
The export of calves—which usually go for further fattening rather than for immediate slaughter—is permitted only to destinations in the other member States of the European Community. In those countries the welfare of the calves is protected by provisions of directive 77/489 on the protection of animals during international transport and 74/577 which requires effective stunning before slaughter.