HC Deb 11 July 1922 vol 156 cc1076-7W
Major BROWN

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet arranged with the Dutch and Belgian Governments to stop the export of horses from this country for slaughter there and to slaughter on this side instead: and, if not. what further steps to stop this traffic does he intend to take?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 16th March last to a similar question put by the hon. and learned Member for York (Sir J. Butcher), which was in the following termsThe Belgian and Dutch Governments have agreed not to put obstacles in the way of the importation of horse flesh, and a considerable increase in this trade has already taken place. It would be impracticable to make a definite agreement to prevent the slaughter in Belgium or Holland of any horses exported from this country. With regard to the last part of the question, I am satisfied that only horses of full working standard are now exported from this country, and that the traffic in worn out and decrepit horses has been stopped.