§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances drowning is permitted as an acceptable or humane method for killing animals.
§ Mrs. BrowningI know of no circumstances in which I would consider the intentional drowning of conscious animals for which the Department has responsibility to be either acceptable or humane. The EC directive on the welfare of livestock when slaughtered or killed, which will be implemented next year, does not permit drowning.