HC Deb 23 October 1990 vol 178 cc133-4W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total numbers of exports of live animals and birds, broken down by species group and point of destination, between(a) the European Community, (b) elsewhere in Europe and (c) further afield, for the last year.

Mr. Curry

The total number of live animals exported from the United Kingdom to the European Community, elsewhere in Europe and further afield during 1989 are listed by species in the table.

United Kingdom exports of live animals in 1989 by area of destination
Number of animals (unless otherwise stated)
EC Rest of Europe Other countries
Bovine animals 328,951 30 536
Sheep 589,120 146 70
Goats 104 1 90
Swine 109,142 178 5,463
Poultry 10,376,354 1,133,728 2,088,451
Horses 5,655 716 1,028
Asses, mules, hinnies 31 49 —
Domestic rabbits 1,791 96 1,865
Pigeons 178 99 719
Other, chiefly for human consumption 5,922 — 70
Other (tonnes) 1,272 19 77

Source: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of inspections of the conditions of live animals and birds being transported live for export in the last year; and what was the number and type of further action which occurred as a result of such inspections.

Mr. Maclean

During 1989, 801,840 animals (farm animals for slaughter, further fattening or breeding and horses and ponies for breeding, riding or recreational purposes) were exported from Great Britain following veterinary inspection for fitness to travel at export lairages near the ports of departure. A total of 8,030 animals were found at inspection to be unfit for the export journey. These were detained, and given veterinary treatment where necessary, until considered fit to travel to an alternative destination in this country.

In addition veterinary inspections are carried out at premises of origin, in accordance with the health requirements of importing countries, for most breeding livestock, horses and ponies, poultry and other mammals and birds. Records are not kept centrally of the number of these inspections.