HC Deb 11 November 1933 vol 48 cc273-4W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each of the past five years establishments that rear mink for the production of fur and are licensed for the purpose under the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 have been inspected; by whom; and whether he is satisfied with welfare conditions.

Mrs. Fenner

During the relevant period, officers of the Ministry's agricultural science and veterinary services have made the following inspections in England and Wales of mink farms licenced under the Destructive Animals Act 1932:—

Inspections
1978–79 55
1979–80 48
1980–81 47
1981–82 21
1982–83 34

No evidence of an offence under the welfare provisons of Part I of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 has been reported.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each of the past five years establishments that rear mink for the production of fur and are licensed under the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 have been (a) successfully prosecuted and (b) unsuccessfully prosecuted under the Act.

Mrs. Fenner

None.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each of the past five years establishments that use foxes for the production of fur and are subject to inspection by the State Veterinary Service have been (a) successfully prosecuted and (b) unsuccessfully prosecuted under the provisions of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 or its subordinate legislation.

Mrs. Fenner

None. There are no known instances of offences under part I of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 on fox farms during the past five years.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each of the past five years establishments that use foxes for the production of fur have been inspected by members of the State Veterinary Service under part I of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 and its subordinate legislation; and whether he is satisfied with welfare conditions at such establishments.

Mrs. Fenner

During the past five years there have been the following number of inspections of fox farms under part I of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968:

Inspections
1979 Nil
1980 Nil
1981 Nil
1982 4
1983 4

No evidence of an offence under that part of the Act has been found.