§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are taken in connection with the compulsory slaughter of animals involved in outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease to ensure that it is carried out under the most humane conditions possible; and whether it is the normal practice for his officers to invite or permit the cooperation of inspectors of the Royal 64W Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe instructions which are issued to every member of the veterinary staff of my Department set out in detail the procedure to be followed when orders are given for the slaughter of animals as a result of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.
I am satisfied that the procedure (which, among other things, requires that competent slaughter men, butchers or knackers shall be employed) provides for slaughter under the most humane conditions possible. It is not the normal practice to invite the co-operation of Inspectors of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, but they have on occasions been asked to be present when the slaughtering was being carried out.