§ Mr. MORLEYasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the advisability of taking steps to prohibit the export of old horses for slaughter abroad?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONThe Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, as amended by the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, prohibits the export to the Continent of any horse unless certified after examination by a veterinary inspector of the Ministry at the port of shipment to be fit to travel and to work without suffering. This prohibition is rigidly enforced by the Ministry. The question of the age of any horse presented for shipment does not, therefore, arise unless the animal is physically unfit to travel or to work. The whole question was thoroughly investigated by the Departmental Committee appointed in March, 1925, who were satisfied that no horse which could be described as decrepit, had been passed for export, and that the provisions of the Acts were efficiently carried out. The position is the same at the present time.