§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list those public agencies answerable to his Department which are jointly or solely responsible for the enforcement of legislation, by title and purpose, concerned with the welfare of farm animals in general, at farms, in transit, at markets and slaughterhouses; and if he will give, for each of the last three years for which figures are available, the budget and staffing of each agency.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe state veterinary service, which is part of my Department, is the main body responsible for animal welfare on the farm. It also co-operates with local authorities, which are principally responsible for enforcement of the legislation on welfare in transit, in markets and in abattoirs. My Department's budget and staffing for animal welfare work, most of which is accounted for by the state veterinary service, is estimated to be as follows:
Cost £ million Manpower 1985–86 3.4 127 1986–87 3.1 124 1987–88 3.4 132