HC Deb 18 March 1994 vol 239 cc899-900W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many live sheep have been imported from(a) Poland and (b) Spain during (i) 1993 and (ii) 1994; how many of the animals from each country have been condemned as unfit for human consumption; how many suffered from caseous lymphadenitis; what assessment he has made of the risk of that condition being spread to United Kingdom sheep; if it is a contagious diseases; and how many died in transit.

Mr. Soames

In 1993 one consignment, consisting of 201 sheep, was imported from Spain. There were no imports from Poland. To date in 1994 three consignments, comprising a total of 722 sheep, have been imported from Spain and three consignments, totalling 917 sheep, have been imported from Poland.

Information on the numbers of carcases from each consignment which were condemned as unfit for human consumption is not available centrally.

Information available to date indicates that evidence of caseous lymphadenitis was found at post-mortem inspection in a small number of animals in one of the consignments from Spain and in two of the consignments from Poland. Caseous lymphadenitis is a contagious disease which is common throughout the world wherever sheep are raised. Caseous lymphadenitis does occur in sheep in this country but it is not a notifiable disease. As all the sheep imported so far into Great Britain from Spain and Poland were sheep for immediate slaughter, there is no risk of their spreading caseous lymphadenitis to United Kingdom sheep.

One sheep from Spain and two from Poland—in one consignment—were found to be dead on arrival.

Mrs. Jane Kennedy

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks were made in the case of each consignment of live sheep imported from Poland and Spain in 1993 and 1994 that a route plan had been drawn up and that the animals had been fed and watered as required by directive 91/628/EEC; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

Checks are carried out at the place of destination to ensure that Community health and welfare requirements have been met in accordance with the EC veterinary checks directives 90/425 and 91/496 and the protection of animals during transport directive 91/628. An inspection must also be carried out at the place of departure, or place of entry into the Community.