HC Deb 18 October 1990 vol 177 cc910-1W
32. Mr. Cummings

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the role of veterinarians in promoting animal welfare.

40. Mr. Doran

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the role of veterinarians in promoting animal welfare.

Mr. Maclean

I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) earlier today.

47. Mr. Eadie

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what role state veterinary service vets play in enforcing animal welfare standards.

62. Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what role state veterinary service vets play in enforcing animal welfare standards.

Mr. Maclean

Veterinary officers of the state veterinary service monitor welfare whenever they visit livestock farms. In addition, they carry out specific visits for welfare purposes. They promote the maintenance and improvement of welfare by advising farmers to follow the recommendations in the welfare codes. When necessary, they will not-hesitate to initiate prosecution proceedings. Indeed, a ministerial prosecution was concluded this month in which a farmer was convicted on more than 150 counts, sentenced to five months' imprisonment and fined £3,500 for cruelty to sheep. In addition, he has been banned for keeping sheep for five years.