§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list by group, division or other work unit the number of grades of staff working within his Department on animal welfare issues; [34301]
(2) if he will list (a) United Kingdom legislation, (b) EU legislation and (c) international treaties, conventions or other obligations concerning animal welfare for which his Department has responsibility; [34300]
(3) if he will list the animal welfare issues for which his Department has responsibility. [34299]
§ Mr. Clappison[holding answer 25 June 1996]: The animal welfare issues for which my Department are responsible include zoos, the keeping of dangerous wild 224W animals, the ban on the use of certain methods of killing or taking of birds and wild animals, leghold traps and some aspects of the transport of endangered species.
These issues are covered by the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, the Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the EC Leghold Trap Regulation 1991 (EC No. 3254/91 and EC No. 1771/94). Provisions on accommodation and handling during the transport of endangered species are reflected in existing EC regulations (EC No. 3626/82 and 3418/83) which govern the implementation of the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
The wildlife and countryside directorate is responsible for animal welfare issues among its other duties. The grades and approximate number of the directorate's staff involved are:
- Director (Grade 3): less than 1 full-time equivalent
- Assistant Secretary (G5): less than 1
- Principal (G7):less than 1
- Higher Executive Officer: 1
- Executive Officer: 1–2
- Administrative Officer: Assistant: 1–2.