HC Deb 24 July 1996 vol 282 cc635-6W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason his Department's officials at Dover prevented consignments of sheep from being loaded on to the MV Cap Afrique on 3 July. [39196]

Mrs. Browning

The proposed sailing of the Cap Afrique on 3 July was postponed by the operator when he established that not all sheep in booked consignments were identified in the manner required by the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996.

Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in sheep. [40046]

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I refer to the statement I made to the House this afternoon.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which EU-approved abattoirs sheep exported to Spain for further fattening will be slaughtered; and if his Department is informed in advance of which EU-approved future consignments of sheep exported for further fattening are destined. [38410]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 22 July 1996]: There are no routine mechanisms in place for establishing or notifying in which abattoirs sheep may be slaughtered after they have been transported to Spain for further fattening.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if ovines destined for further fattening unloaded from separate vehicles at Dover Port and re-loaded on to the MV Caroline, on 8 July all originated from the same holding and are being sent to the same consignee. [38415]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 22 July 1996]: Four consignments of sheep for further fattening were loaded on to the MV Caroline on 8 July, originating from three holdings and consigned to three different destinations. The sheep were grouped according to their final destinations.