§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will now take formal steps to ensure the presence of a veterinary surgeon at all unloading and abattoir slaughter of deer, as recommended in the relevant code of welfare practice, particularly as the main slaughtering season is approaching; whether they have any evidence that slaughtering has been taking place without such presence; and whether, on the 1635WA occasions when Ministry veterinary officers have made visits to abattoirs, they have found any apparent infringements of this code.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonStatutory powers to require the presence of a veterinary surgeon when deer are slaughtered in abattoirs are not yet available in primary legislation. In their absence, abattoir operators will continue to be reminded of the need to follow the guidance in the voluntary code.
Some deer may have been slaughtered in abattoirs when a veterinary surgeon has not been present but the Ministry has no firm information about this. Infringements of the code noted by Ministry veterinary officers are drawn to the attention of operators during inspection visits and confirmed in writing if this is considered to be necessary.