§ Mr. Simsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has about the conditions in which a lorry load of 500 live sheep were transported from Dover to Spain on or about Friday 10 October; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonA journey on 10–11 October was reported inThe Observer newspaper on 19 October and further details have been supplied to my Department by the RSPCA. The sheep were transported in French lorries from Calais to Spain. We have contacted the French and Spanish authorities to discuss these reports and ask for their future co-operation. We are investigating whether breaches of United Kingdom law have occurred and have told exporters of sheep to France that they must provide more extensive information, including documentary proof of final destination from the French importer, before further export licences are issued.