§ Mr. OlnerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the legal opinion he has received in respect of the legality of a unilateral ban on the export of calves.
§ Mrs. BrowningMy right hon. Friend has published a summary of the conclusions that emerged from the legal advice available to him. This was made available to all Members in my right hon. Friend's letter of 1 February copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many veal calves French authorities have refused to allow into France on(a) health and (b) welfare grounds in each month since December 1994; and how many British calves have arrived in France dead in each month since December 1994;
(2) how many livestock lorries French authorities have banned from entering France due to them not fulfilling animal welfare criteria in each month since December 1994.
§ Mrs. BrowningThe French authorities are, of course, responsible for enforcing Community welfare provisions on their territory. From our exchanges with them, we are not aware that they have refused admission to France of any calves of British origin since December 1994 on either health or welfare grounds. The French authorities are not required to give us information on the number of animals dead on arrival. The information available to us indicates that deaths are rare. The French authorities tell us that they have not banned any British livestock vehicles.