§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food where all the procedures performed by the local veterinary inspectors in connection with export health certification of the pigs exported from Dover on 15 May were carried out; if he will indicate whether these were places at which export health certification could properly be carried out under the terms of directive 64/432/EEC; how many of the pigs were(a) dead and (b) injured on arrival at Dover; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the report made by the member of his veterinary staff who accompanied the pigs on the sea crossing from Dover. [1272]
§ Mr. MorleyWith the exception of one lorry load, the export health certification which accompanied the pigs on the sailing of the MV Caroline on 15 May was completed at their farms of origin in accordance with the rules laid down in Directive 64/432/EEC. In order to ensure the correct identity of the pigs transported, animal health certification for one lorry load was finalised at Dover. Two of the pigs transported to Dover were found to be 227W dead on arrival. Two others were found to be unfit to continue their journey and were not exported. The appropriate local authorities are being asked to consider whether prosecution would be warranted in relation to any aspects of the consignments of 15 and 16 May.
I have seen the report of the veterinarian who accompanied the pigs on their journey. I do not propose to place it in the Library. As a general principle, it is important for the proper enforcement of the rules that frank and candid reports are available for discussion within government and between government and the enforcement authorities. Such reports may also be used as part of legal proceedings where there is evidence of non-compliance. These purposes would be undermined if the practice were to publish reports such as this. They are covered by exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which enables the confidentiality of internal opinion, advice and recommendations to Ministers to be protected.