§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of the fact that sheep are becoming the most transported farm animal in the world with 4 million from Australia, 2 million from New Zealand to the Middle East and now rising numbers for export to Europe totalling three quarters of a million in 1991, what steps are they taking to prevent an increase in cruelty and hardship?
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)The welfare of animals in transit between third countries is a matter for the authorities of those countries. Welfare conditions for animals transported within and to the Community will be subject to a new directive from 1st January 1993. The Council of Ministers has still to adopt some implementing safeguards and in the further negotiations the Government will be pressing for the benefits of British welfare rules to be recognised in the interests of all animals within the Community.