HC Deb 17 March 1965 vol 708 cc269-70W
68. Sir Ronald Russell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assurance he receives, in licensing ponies for export, that they are used for breeding and are not sold for meat; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Mackie

No pony may be exported from Great Britain unless either it has been found on veterinary examination at the port to be fit to travel and fit to work or it has been exempted by permit from veterinary examination. These permits are issued only for exports declared to be for certain prescribed purposes, which do not include slaughter. Quite apart from this safeguard I am not aware of any evidence that ponies are being exported for slaughter.