HC Deb 08 August 1972 vol 842 cc333-4W
Mr. Mudd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will seek to strengthen the Balfour Assurances at the earliest opportunity, so as to make it clear that animals held at their destination for 48 hours are not regarded as exported for fattening rather than for slaughter.

Mr. Peter Mills

No. I have no reason to believe that this happens, but I would look into any specific reports made to me.

Mr. Wiggin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with the Belgian authorities on the arrangements for ensuring observance of the Balfour Assurances.

Mr. Peter Mills

I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that our discussions with the Belgian authorities have resulted in agreement on satisfactory arrangements.

In future, licences issued by the Department of Trade and Industry for the export to Belgium of sheep for immediate slaughter will be endorsed with a condition that the exporter must notify each consignment to the export licensing branch of DTI within 14 days of shipment.

The exporter may also be asked to produce a certificate given by an abattoir in Belgium which is approved by the Belgian authorities for the slaughter of animals exported from Great Britain, certifying slaughter on those premises. The Belgian authorities have agreed that these certificates will be authenticated by an official of the Belgian Government. Failure to produce such a certificate would be regarded as a prima facie breach of the conditions of the licence, which could then be revoked.

In addition we are arranging for the animal health export certificates issued by the agricultural departments in Great Britain on the disease status of the premises from which the sheep are being exported to Belgium for immediate slaughter to contain a statement in the English, French and Dutch language of the provisions of the Balfour Assurances, and a reminder that they are applicable to that consignment. These arrangements will come into operation very shortly.

We are grateful to the animal welfare societies which have drawn our attention to this problem, and consider that the action we are taking in co-operation with the Belgian authorities will solve it. I would assure my hon. Friend that we shall keep a careful eye on the position.

Finally, I am glad of the opportunity to express our appreciation for the cooperation we have had from the Belgian authorities.