§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to secure the welfare of livestock in transit(a) in Northern Ireland and (b) for export outside Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyPresent Northern Ireland measures, as updated in 1989 and enforced by the veterinary inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, provide wide protection of the welfare of animals both on internal and international journeys.
The controls conform to the standards of the EC directives on international transport. These will be adjusted as required following the current EC review of welfare of animals in transport.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the numbers of(a) cattle, (b) horses, (c) sheep, (d) chickens and (e) other livestock killed in transit each year in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyThe information requested is not held by the Department.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce a measure to require drivers of animal transit vehicles to have basic skills in animal welfare matters.
§ Mr. HanleyCurrent Northern Ireland, Great Britain and EC legislation for the protection of animals in transit places a duty on drivers to exercise care in the loading, unloading, feeding and watering of such animals.