§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now establish an independent and representative inquiry into the economics, welfare and transport implications of the export trade in live animals.
§ Mr. CurryI have no plans for a specific inquiry but we will take the factors referred to fully into account in negotiating new EC controls on the welfare of animals during transport.
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§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in each of the past five years his officials have accompanied shipments of live food animals to destinations in Europe; and with what results.
§ Mr. CurryMonitoring the welfare of animals transported in other Community countries is essentially a matter for the authorities of those countries. Nevertheless in the last five years nine export journeys of food animals have been accompanied by representatives of our state veterinary service under arrangements agreed with the countries concerned.