§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the amount of turkey meat imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; what measures Her Majesty's Government takes to ensure that imported turkeys have been reared and transported humanely; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe amount of turkey meat imported into the United Kingdom over the last five years is as follows:
Turkeymeat (tonnes) 1987 8,154 1988 12,743 1989 14,652 1990 26,434 1991 28,430 Any live turkeys imported into the United Kingdom would be safeguarded by the provisions of the European directives protecting the welfare of animals during transport. However, the Government have no control over welfare conditions for rearing turkeys in other member states and no Community rules exist for them. Turkeys reared in the United Kingdom benefit from our national animal welfare legislation and a specific welfare code for turkeys.
The Government have made it clear that we wish to see the highest possible Community welfare standards set for the husbandry and transport of all farm livestock.