§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the circumstances which led to two recent cases of severe loss of livestock being carried as air cargo.
§ Mr. Peter MillsOne of these incidents concerns a consignment of 65 greyhounds sent from the Republic of Ireland to Spain. This is a matter for the Irish and Spanish authorities.
The second incident concerned the death of 174 bull calves during a flight from Gatwick to the Canary Islands and inquiries are being made in an effort to establish the circumstances which led to this unfortunate accident.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to introduce legislation governing the transport of livestock by air.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the transport of livestock by air meets appropriate animal welfare requirements.
§ Mr. Peter MillsA general revision of the subordinate legislation governing the welfare of animals during transport is in hand and includes proposals for an order for the protection of livestock during carriage by air. The making of an order on air transport will however call for wide consultation on the complex technical problems involved and is likely to take some time.
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§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to ratify the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MillsMy reply to the Question by the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) on 10th July set out the steps which are necessary before the convention can be ratified. We intend to ratify as soon as the necessary orders can be made, but I cannot yet say when this will be possible.—[Vol. 840, c. 256.]
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if local authority officials inspecting lairages holding livestock for export are required to have any particular qualifications or knowledge of animal welfare requirements.
§ Mr. Peter MillsLocal authorities are responsible for enforcement of animal welfare legislation, including the Exported Animals Protection Order, 1964, which governs approved premises—or lairages—used for resting animals before export. Authorities are empowered to appoint inspectors for such duties but special qualifications in relation to animal welfare requirements are not prescribed by law. Ministry veterinary inspectors are on the premises to examine animals whenever an export takes place.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the recent death of 174 bull calves en route from Gatwick to the Canaries, the suffocation of 65 greyhounds travelling from Eire to Spain, and the two incidents in each of which about 2,000 birds were found dead on arrival at London Airport, he will take steps to strengthen the safety requirements for animals flown from the United Kingdom and initiate urgent talks with the International Air Transport Association in order to get world-wide improvement in the regulations governing the transport of animals by air.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThese incidents are being brought to the attention of the International Air Transport Association so that they may consider whether they show any need for change in the recom-336W mendations contained in the IATA Live Animals Manual.
There is already a European convention for the protection of animals during international transport. It has been signed by 14 member States and ratified by six of them; it is open to accession by other States. Her Majesty's Government intend to ratify as soon as the necessary legislation has been made; including proposals for an order which will govern the welfare of animals carried to or from this country by air.
§ Mr. Crowderasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what fatalities there have been among animals transported on British aircraft during the past 12 months; if he is satisfied that existing regulations governing the transport of animals by air are adequate to ensure the safety and well being of the animals in transit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MillsStatistics of casualties among animals carried aboard British aircraft are not available. It is recognised that there is a need to safeguard the welfare of animals during transport by air and, as I said in reply today to Questions from the hon. Members for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) and Waltham stow, West (Mr. Deakins) it is proposed to make an order for this purpose.