§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What infringements of the slaughter of deer code have been found by veterinary officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and how many have been drawn to the attention of abattoir operators in the last 12 months; and whether they will confirm that they intend at an early date to seek statutory powers to require the presence of a veterinary surgeon at all unloading and slaughter of deer.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)All infringements of the non-statutory code of welfare practice on abattoir slaughter of farmed deer noted by veterinary officers of the ministry are drawn to the attention of abattoir operators at the time of the visit. However a record of these is not maintained centrally. If considered appropriate, ministry officers also write to abattoir operators to confirm any advice given on the operation of the code.
I can confirm that the Government intend to introduce legislation when the parliamentary programme permits to require a veterinary presence during the slaughter of farmed deer in abattoirs.