§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if she will urge the European Commission to adopt a maximum eight-hour limit on slaughter journeys, and prohibit the export of farm animals to non-EU countries which do not comply with EU welfare standards during transport and at slaughter;
(2) if she will support a maximum journey time for animals when the transport directive is decided upon.
§ Mr. SoamesAt this week's Agriculture Council, the United Kingdom withheld support for a revised package of proposals on the welfare of animals during transport. We have obtained a commitment from the Commission that it will bring forward further proposals on journey limits by 1 July 1995.