§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made an assessment of the animal welfare implications of the increase in export of live animals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanStatutory controls ensure that all animals exported for fattening or slaughter are rested, fed and watered and inspected for fitness to travel at approved export lairages. These and other welfare safeguards apply to each animal irrespective of the level of exports.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of live animals exported for slaughter could be handled with existing abattoir capacity within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe United Kingdom slaughtering industry is able to cope with the demands currently placed on it, while the numbers of animals exported is a very small proportion of the number slaughtered. We would not expect the industry to have any difficulty coping with the number of animals exported live if necessary. Subject to the requirements of relevant legislation, the decision on whether to export animals or carcases is a matter for commercial judgment.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what factors he ascribes the increase in exports of live animals for slaughter in 1989; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanExports of sheep, which comprise almost all the animals exported from the United Kingdom for immediate slaughter, rose in 1989 as a result of the determination of our exporters to meet demand elsewhere in the European Community. The number of calves exported for veal production was also higher than in 1988, although not particularly high by historical standards. The level of these exports depends on the demand for veal, the availability of calves in the countries where that demand is high and the price of calves on the United Kingdom market.