HC Deb 08 August 1972 vol 842 cc334-6W
Mr. Mudd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will examine the composition of the advisory committee on the carriage of livestock in the light of the recent case involving the death of beef cattle on a flight from Gatwick to the Canary Islands;

(2) what comparisons have been drawn in his investigations, between the size of the 174 beef cattle which died in transit in a CL-44 aircraft between Gatwick and the Canary Islands and those transported in similar numbers by the same company on a Boeing 707 on another occasion; and whether, in his enforcement of the regulations on transport by air of live animals, he will assess consignments on a weight to space ratio rather than on numbers alone;

(3) if he has now found out what evidence exists, in time and distance, that the CL-44 aircraft carrying 174 beef cattle which died on a recent flight from Gatwick to the Canary Islands had passed the point of no return and had no alternative but to proceed onwards.

Mr. Peter Mills

I think that my hon. Friend may have been misinformed; there is no Ministry advisory committee on the carriage of livestock.

According to our information the calves carried in the CL-44 aircraft were broadly comparable in size with those carried by the same exporter earlier and since in a Boeing 707. There are at present no regulations on the transport by air of live animals but as I said on 26th July in reply to Questions from the hon. Members for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) and Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins) we propose to make an order for the protection of livestock during carriage by air. Veterinary advice now given to exporters or airlines takes account of the size and weight of the animals in relation to the space available and the need for this will be borne in mind when an order is drafted.

The Department of Trade and Industry is still making inquiries into the circumstances of this regrettable accident and I am not at present able to comment on the decision to continue the flight to its planned destination.—(Vol. 841, c. 334–5.]

51. Mr. Mudd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total capacity of licensed lairage for calves at Gatwick Airport, representing a maximum of how many calves at any one time; what regulations exist regarding veterinary inspection, resting, feeding and watering; and how these regulations are enforced.

Mr. Peter Mills

There are two sets of premises approved for the resting of farm animals prior to export through Gatwick Airport—one at Haywards Health and one at Charlwood. The first is approved for 150 calves and the second for 140. At the latter there is suitable covered accommodation for some 500 calves and whilst amendment of the official document of approval is being considered the resting of about half this number of calves has been permitted.

The Exported Animals Protection Order, 1964, requires that farm animals, including calves, be rested for at least 10 hours on approved premises before being exported, by sea or air. During the rest period adequate food, water, bedding and shelter must be provided. The animals must be examined by a veterinary, inspector and must not be shipped unless he certifies that they are fit to travel.

Enforcement of the order is the responsibility of the local authority; there is, however, additional supervision as Ministry veterinary inspectors are on the premises when exports take place and use these frequent opportunities to check on conditions.