HL Deb 22 June 1982 vol 431 cc1027-8WA
Lord Houghton of Sowerby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received the report of Mrs. R Harris, MRCVS, on a visit to a horse sale at Southall Market on 5th May 1982; whether previous complaints by the police have been acted upon; and what steps are being taken to bring recurring violations of the code of practice to an end.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)

Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have received Mrs. Harris' report and have noted the critisisms which it contains. A Ministry veterinary officer made an additional visit to Southall Market in the week following Mrs. Harris' visit. On that occasion, no contraventions of the relevant legislation were found. Since issuing the code of practice for the guidance of operators of horse and pony sales in 1979, the Ministry has been monitoring the conduct of the sales. In the course of this exercise, veterinary officers have regularly visited Southall Market and are actively encouraging fuller compliance with the code of practice. Ministry veterinary officers have instructions to take appropriate action if, in the course of their attendance at markets, they witness contravention of legislation. The Ministry has received no recent complaints from the police about Southall Market.