§ Mr. BUXTONasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of live horses exported for food to France, Holland and Belgium during 1924 to 1927?
Mr. GUINNESSI have no definite information as to the number of live horses exported to the Continent expressly for slaughter for food. All horses shipped have to be certified by a veterinary inspector of the Ministry at the port of shipment as being fit to travel and fit to work without cruelty. In many cases it is not until after the arrival of the horses on the Continent that their intended destination is determined. The total number of horses exported to France, Holland and Belgium during the years 1924 to 1927 inclusive was:
Since the beginning of 1926 the Ministry's inspectors have made inquiries as to the number of horses exported expressly for slaughter for human consumption, and the number falling within that category in the two years 1926 and 1927 was approximately:
France 13,080 Belgium 16,565 Holland 24,368
France nil Belgium 10 Holland 5,444 I am informed that humane methods of slaughter are adopted throughout Holland.