HC Deb 11 May 1990 vol 172 cc271-2W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure animals in knackers' yards are given the same protection as animals at abattoirs in respect of(a)feeding and watering, (b)lairage and (c)slaughtering techniques; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

Extensive legislation already exists to provide for the welfare of animals in abattoirs and knackers' yards. It affords the same level of protection as regards feeding, watering, lairaging and slaughtering for animals in knackers' yards as for those in abattoirs.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the legislation and officers of the state veterinary service visit abattoirs and knackers' yards to monitor standards and to give advice.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made an assessment of the animal welfare implications of the ritual slaughtering of animals; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

The Farm Animal Welfare Council reported in 1985 on the welfare of animals when slaughtered by religious methods. The Government's response, accepting 15 of the Council's 17 recommendations, was published in October 1987. Proposals for new regulations on the welfare of animals at slaughter, including religious slaughter, were issued to interested parties for comment on 20 June 1989. Copies of all these documents are available in the Library of the House. We are considering representations on the proposed regulations which will be laid before Parliament shortly.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage, and how many in actual numbers, of animals were subject to ritual slaughter in 1989; and if he will give a breakdown by species.

Mr. Maclean

Statistics of animals slaughtered by religious methods are not maintained centrally. However our most recent estimates are that less than 2 per cent. of cattle, 4 per cent. of sheep and goats and 1 per cent. of poultry slaughtered in Great Britain are slaughtered under the exemption from prior stunning.