HC Deb 24 March 1975 vol 889 cc70-1W
Miss Fookes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the new evidence of suffering by live animals, details of which have been supplied to him by the hon. Member for Plymouth, Drake he will immediately suspend licences allowing the export of live animals for slaughter.

Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what action he proposes to take in the light of evidence that the destinations entered upon many of the licences issued for the export of live sheep for slaughter are false and that the majority of these animals are being sent to destinations other than those shown on the licences;

(2) what action he proposes to take in the light of evidence that sheep licensed for export to and slaughter in Paris are being sent without rest, food or water, on non-stop road journeys to London, Marseilles, Sisteron and Apt in the south of France;

(3) if, in view of the abuse of the system of licensing the export of live sheep for slaughter and the undertakings he gave in the House on 16th January 1975, he will now immediately reimpose the ban on the export of these animals.

Mr. Strang:

I am investigating as a matter of urgency the recent reports concerning the export of sheep to France; and am in touch with the French authorities. I shall make a further statement as soon as possible.