§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the reference number of any EEC directive concerning the rules for carriage of live animals or birds by rail, the view of Her Majesty's Government when any such directive was discussed and the relevant reference dates in the Official Journal of the EEC.
§ Mr. BishopThe EEC Council agreed that all member States should ratify the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Animals in International Transport, but has not produced any specific directive on the welfare of animals in transit by rail. All member States have complied except the Netherlands, though there are comprehensive welfare safeguards in operation in that country.
§ Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will amend the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973 to enable the freight carriage of pigeons by British Rail to continue after 1st July 1976.
§ Mr. BishopThe provisions of the Transit of Animals (General) Order are necessary to ensure the humane transport of living creatures, including pigeons. These provisions do not prevent British Rail from continuing to carry pigeons or other livestock but they are required to ensure that no unnecessary suffering is caused.