§ Sir Terrence HigginsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to his answer of 18 April,Official Report, column 104, what consideration led him to conclude that EC directive 91/628 does not apply to roll-on/roll-off ferries. [26149]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 25 May 1995]: Directive 91/628 contains various provisions which unambiguously apply to roll-on/roll-off ferries, and we have applied them.
787WHowever, with regard to the requirement for isolation pens to be provided when animals are transported by sea, the intentions of the directive in relation to roll-on/roll-off ferries are not clear. The Department concluded that isolation pens need not be provided on such ferries in the light of practical considerations and of the fact that the availability of such pens would only very rarely indeed be of benefit in animal welfare terms.
I am now reviewing the practicalities of the position to see whether there is anything more we could or should do, with the other member states involved, to improve welfare provisions on the rare occasions when animals may be found to be sick or injured during roll-on/roll-off transport.