§ 39. Mr. Gowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with international arrangements designed to prevent suffering or death to animals travelling by air; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangThere are at present no international regulations which are universally accepted and enforced by all Governments. Nevertheless encouraging progress has been made in recent years; 19 countries have now signed or acceded to the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport, and 16 of these countries have ratified this Convention. The International Air Transport Association, to which the majority of the world's airlines belong, has produced a comprehensive manual on the care of all types of living creatures in transit by air, and observance of these conditions is mandatory for all airlines which are members of the association; Her Majesty's Government actively support all measures designed to secure the full and universal application of these standards and to ensure adequate welfare standards in respect of all airlines conveying living creatures to or from the United Kingdom.
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§ Mr. Corbettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish the general advice or guidance given to British Rail and other carriers of livestock on how to comply with the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973.
§ Mr. StrangThe Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973 is one of a number of legislative measures which protect the welfare of animals in transit. My Department does not issue general advice or guidance on compliance with these measures, but the State Veterinary Service is always willing to advise if requested.