§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what rules exist in respect of the voltage levels and use of cattle goads; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what steps he is taking to minimise offences in respect of the use of goads under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThere are no specific statutory controls on the energy output of cattle goads. Their use is. however, subject to the general provisions of the Protection of Animals Act 1911, the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 and orders made under the Animal Health Act 1981. We are planning to introduce statutory welfare measures in markets and slaughterhouses which would prohibit the use of electric goads on all animals, other than adult cattle and adult pigs under certain conditions.