§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban live sheep exports from the United Kingdom to Spain; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonMy Department does not license exports of live sheep (nor any other food animals) to Spain. Spain has not yet implemented European Community safeguards on animal welfare in international transit and at the point of slaughter. We have urged and are urging the Spanish authorities to do so. I understand that they are now working on a measure to implement the relevant EC transport directives. We shall continue to apply pressure to the Spanish authorities until we are completely satisfied on both the transport and slaughter questions.