HC Deb 20 February 1980 vol 979 cc237-8W
Mr. Crowther

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list in the Official Report the Acts of Parliament and amendments, orders and regulations under which officers of the State Veterinary Service, the Agriculture Development Advisory Service and other branches of his Department have powers to investigate complaints made by members of the public of suspected cruelty to animals on either private or public property; and if there are powers to enter private property without a warrant to investigate allegations of cruelty to animals and under which Acts.

Mr. Wiggin

Certain officers of the Ministry are authorised, under the provisions listed below, to enter any premises, in prescribed circumstances, for purposes of checking on the observance of animal welfare legislation.

Diseases of Animals Act 1950—as extended by the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts 1954 and 1963 and the Ponies Act 1969

Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967

Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968

Slaughterhouse Act 1974

These powers of entry may be used, without a warrant, to investigate a complaint that a farm animal—or, in the case of transit, any type of animal—was, or is being, subjected to unnecessary suffering.