§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many mink farms were operating in England and Wales on 28 February; and if she will list their locations by county. [13805]
§ Mr. MorleyAs at 28 February 2001, there were the following licensed mink farms in England:
County Number Cornwall 1 Dorset 1 Hampshire 1 Isle of Wight 1 Lancashire 4 Northumberland 1 Staffordshire 1 South Yorkshire 1 West Yorkshire 1 Total 12
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list all movements of farmed mink that took place in England and Wales during(a) 2000 and (b) 2001. [13802]
§ Mr. MorleyThere is no requirement to inform the Department of the movement of mink. Under the Mink (Keeping) Regulations 1975 (as amended), such movements must be carried out in closed cages or other containers which prevent mink from escaping. The movement of farmed mink in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales. However, I understand that there have been no licensed mink farms in Wales for some years.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates each of the mink farms operating in England and Wales were inspected during 2001; and what plans there are to inspect farms after 30 September. [13801]
§ Mr. MorleyMink farms in England were inspected on the following dates in 2001:
County Date of security inspections
Date of welfare inspections
Cornwall — 30 January Dorset 27 June — Hampshire 27 June 26 January 16 July 2 February 24 October Isle of Wight 14 June — Lancashire 3 April — 4 April Northumberland 22 February — South Yorkshire 1 May — West Yorkshire 13 September — Due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, a number of planned mid-year security and welfare inspections could not be made. However, the usual programme of inspections will now continue for those mink farms still in operation.
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§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) breeding female and (b) other mink were present at each of the mink farms operating on 28 February; and if she will show the figures by (i) farm and (ii) county. [13804]
§ Mr. MorleyWe estimate, following visits by independent consultants engaged by the Department, that in February 2001 a total of 30,000 female and 6,000 male mink were being kept in England. I am unable to release details by farm because of commercial confidentiality.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many mink farms were operating and contained live mink in England and Wales on 1 October; and if she will list their locations by county. [13803]
§ Mr. MorleyAs at 1 October 2001, three mink farms in England were licensed and contained live mink, two in Lancashire and one in Hampshire.