§ Mr. David Martinasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the procedures and practice governing the export of live animals; and what steps are taken to ensure that these requirements are properly observed in Portsmouth.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonIn Great Britain the export of live food animals is regulated by the Export of Animals (Protection) Order 1981 which prohibits such exports except in accordance with a licence. The animals must be rested for 10 hours immediately before export at an approved lairage near the port of departure. At the lairage the animals must be offered food and water and be inspected for fitness to travel before their loading for international transport is officially supervised. These controls are applied stringently, at Portsmouth and elsewhere, by the state veterinary service and by local authorities.