§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps are being taken to relocate the Hong Kong cattle holding depot as a matter of urgency in the light of the overcrowding and health hazards;
(2) what measures are being taken by the Hong Kong agriculture and fisheries department to improve the state of the buildings in the cattle holding depot;
(3) what steps are being taken to improve conditions at the agriculture and fisheries department cattle holding depot in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
(4) if he will make a statement on the conditions prevailing in the agriculture and fisheries department cattle holding depot in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. EggarConditions at the agriculture and fisheries department holding depot at Ma Tau Kok are adequate. But the buildings which comprise the depot are old and the Hong Kong Government have begun renovative work which should be completed later this year. The depot is not overcrowded.
Average occupancy in the past year has been well within capacity. The cattle-holding areas are washed down twice a day. There is no evidence that the depot is a health hazard.
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§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records are kept of animals arriving and leaving the Hong Kong agriculture and fisheries department cattle holding depot.
§ Mr. EggarThe Hong Kong Government agriculture and fisheries department maintain daily records of the animals arriving at and leaving the cattle depot.
§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the average charges to dealers using the Hong Kong agriculture and fisheries department cattle holding depot; and whether this covers provision of bedding and water.
§ Mr. EggarNo charge is made if the cattle are to be slaughtered in a public abattoir. A flat charge of one Hong Kong dollar per head is made if they are to be slaughtered in a private abattoir. Because of the climate in Hong Kong there is no requirement for bedding. Water is provided as necessary.
§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make it his policy to impose full quarantine restrictions together with disease control and veterinary services, in the event of the Hong Kong cattle holding depot being an official agriculture and fisheries department quarantine station; and if he will make a statement;
(2) for how long animals have to stay at the Hong Kong agriculture and fisheries department cattle holding depot in order for quarantine to have the desired disease control effect; and who enforces this;
(3) if he will make a statement on the extent of veterinary services covering the Hong Kong agriculture and fisheries department cattle holding depot;
(4) whether he will make a statement on the reasons for, and the timing of, the declaration by the agriculture and fisheries department of Hong Kong of the cattle holding depot to be a quarantine station.
§ Mr. EggarRegulations governing the use of the cattle depot as a cattle quarantine station date from 1956. All cattle imported into Hong Kong for slaughter are segregated from local animals from the time of their arrival until their slaughter. While regulations allow imported cattle to be held in quarantine for up to 21 days their average stay, over the past 12 months, has been 4.4 days. Care of the cattle in the depot is under the supervision of trained staff and this is supplemented by regular inspections by a Hong Kong Government veterinary officer.
§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that RSPCA inspectors will in future be able regularly to attend the Hong Kong agriculture and fisheries department cattle holding depot.
§ Mr. EggarThe depot is managed and operated under the close supervision of a qualified veterinary surgeon. Routine visits by RSPCA staff are not required.