§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will urgently review the regulations and conditions under which live elephants may be removed from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 27 November 1986 at column340.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria were used in deciding that the crate containing three elephants belonging to Chipperfields, and now en route to Hong Kong, was satisfactory; whether his officials were informed in advance that the elephants were to be shipped to Hong Kong; and if he will take steps to ensure that elephants are not in future permitted to leave British ports under similar conditions.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[pursuant to his reply, 28 November 1986, c. 375]: The container in which the elephants were shipped was examined by a Ministry veterinary officer to ensure that it conformed with the provisions of the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973. In particular he was instructed to ensure that the container was soundly constructed, adequately ventilated and of a size suitable for the species of animals to be carried; that it afforded protection against the action of the weather or the sea and that it was free of any internal projections or removable partitions that might injure the elephants or cause them unnecessary suffering. He was also asked to satisfy himself that sufficient quantities of bedding were provided and that the container would be properly stowed with a clear area on all sides.
The exporter's agents informed my officials of the approximate date of shipment so that arrangements could be made to examine the container and inspect the elephants. Provided that the arrangements made for their journey comply with the requirements of the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973 and the animals are fit to travel, I see no reason to place further restrictions on the shipment of elephants from British ports.