§ Mr. P. WHITEasked (1) the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether heifers, two years old and under, have been shipped from the ports of Newry and Dundalk last week that were unfit for slaughter, and are likely to be exhibited and sold as stores in the markets of Bristol and York next Thursday; and why it is that the Order permitting such animals to be exported only when fit for slaughter has been departed from in these cases; and (2) the President of the Board of Agriculture why heifers exported last week 2018W from the ports of Newry and Dundalk as being fit for immediate slaughter at the port of debarkation are allowed to be trained to the markets of York and Bristol and there sold as stores?
§ Sir T. RUSSELLThe export of heifers from Ireland is controlled by the Maintenance of Live Stock (Ireland) (Cattle) Order, 1918, wherein it is provided that a heifer which has not four permanent incisor teeth fully up may not be exported. The Department are not aware that any such heifers except those licensed under Article 5 (e) of the Order, and considered on veterinary inspection to be fat and fit for slaughter, and previously certified under statutory declaration made by the owners to be fat and intended for slaughter, have been shipped recently from either of the ports mentioned. If particulars of any specific breaches of the Order can be supplied, the matter will be inquired into.