HC Deb 30 March 1983 vol 40 cc155-6W
Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which clause or amendment to the European Community directives concerned with the protection of animals during international transport allows the lifting of restrictions on the purposes for which live animals may be exported to third countries or on the destinations which are permissible.

Mrs. Fenner

Community directives 77/489/EEC and 81/389/EEC lay down provisions intended to protect the welfare of animals during international transport, and have never contained any restrictions on the purposes for which animals are transported or the destinations involved. The directives do provide that on long journeys, food and water must be made available, and the latter directive introduced a certificate which assists in the enforcement of this provision.

Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he ascertains that live food animals exported from the United Kingdom do not go beyond European Community countries.

Mrs. Fenner

Under the Export of Animals (Protection) Order 1981 applicants for export licences in respect of live food animals must state the final destination of the journey in their application form. It would be an offence against section 69 of the Animal Health Act 1981 for an applicant to declare a false destination on the form for the purpose of obtaining a licence. My officials have instructions to investigate any substantial allegations of irregularities under the order, but are not aware of any recent allegations concerning the export of live food animals to final destinations outside the Community.

Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the United Kingdom is alone in banning live animals exported for food to non-European Community countries.

Mrs. Fenner

As far as I am aware, the United Kingdom is the only member state of the European Community that does not at present permit the export of live food animals to countries outside the Community. I do not have detailed information on the rules which non-Community countries may apply in these circumstances.

Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is meant by "third countries" in the answer of 9 March concerning the export of live food animals, Official Report, c. 400.

Mrs. Fenner

The term "third countries" in the reply mentioned means all countries other than the member states of the European Community.