HC Deb 13 January 1986 vol 89 c485W
Sir Richard Body

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that no live horses or ponies are being exported for slaughter.

Mrs. Fenner

My Department has powers to control the exports of horses under legislation consolidated under the Animal Health Act 1981. Among other things, these controls require exporters to make declarations as to the purpose for which horses and ponies are being exported and impose a system of minimum values at levels which would make export for slaughter uneconomic.

We have seen no evidence that would suggest that there is currently a trade in live equines for slaughter.