HL Deb 13 April 1978 vol 390 cc867-8WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (i) What are the existing conditions in details under which horses may be exported from this country under Section 37 of the Diseases of Animals Act 1950 and orders subsequently made, amended or revoked; and
  2. (ii) what expeorts of horses over 14 1/2 hands have taken place without the protection of either protective veterinary examination or minimum values during the last year for which figures are abailable.

Lord STRABOLGI

Section 37 of the Diseases of Animals Act 1950 as amended by the Ponies Act 1969 and orders made under the 1950 Act lay down a number of requirements which apply to horses (over 14 1/2 hands) or to ponies (14 1/2 hands or under), or to both. The purpose for which an animal is used, its destination abroad and, in some cases, its value, dictate which of those requirements apply. Since the requirements are lengthy and very detailed I will write to my noble friend setting them out in full.

Her Majesty's Custom and Excise returns of exports of equines do not differentiate between horses and ponies so the figures requested are not available.