§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is Her Majesty's Government's interpretation of a reasonable time with regard to 4(d) of directive 77/489/EEC relating to the export of live animals.
§ Mrs. FennerPart 4(d) of the Annex to Directive 77/489/EEC reads as follows:—
During transport animals shall be offered water and appropriate food at suitable intervals. Animals shall not be left more than 24 hours without being fed and watered. This period may, however, be extended if the journey to the destination where the animals are unloaded can be completed within a reasonable period.The requirement reflects international veterinary opinion. It is intended to ensure that animals are not caused suffering either by unduly lengthy deprivation of food and 522W water or by the disruption of being unloaded in circumstances where it would be better for their welfare if they were taken straight on to their destination.
Our implementing legislation requires all food animals to be offered appropriate food and water during their statutory pre-export rest period in approved premises near the port of export. After export it is for those authorities in the member states of transit or destination, and ultimately for the courts in the countries, to determine whether the directive's feeding and watering requirements have been met in a given case. They will need to consider the needs of the species concerned, the climatic conditions and the transport conditions of the consignment concerned.
§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has studied the complaint submitted to the European Commission by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about the workings of current regulations controlling the export of live animals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 21 March 1985 at column572.