§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what incentives exist to ensure that sick casualty animals are given the same treatment at slaughter as healthy animals. [39955]
§ Mrs. BrowningI assume the hon. Member is referring to the humane treatment of animals at slaughter. There are extensive provisions in the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 to ensure welfare at slaughter of all farmed animals, whether or not for human consumption, and regardless of whether they are sick or injured. It is an offence under these regulations to cause any animal any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.
It is also an offence under the legislation on the welfare of animals during transport to transport any animal if this is likely to cause it unnecessary suffering. Where an animal is unfit to travel it should be slaughtered on farm. Such slaughter is governed by provisions in the 1995 regulations.