HC Deb 24 January 1991 vol 184 c314W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the export of farm animals on the hoof through the proposed Euro tunnel to mainland Europe.

Mr. Maclean

This Department remains ready to provide advice and to consider the practicability of detailed proposals to transport farm livestock through the tunnel. Were such traffic to be contemplated there would, of course, need to be stringent safeguards to protect the welfare of the animals in relation, for example, to ventilation and temperature.

Mr. Bellotti

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on the farming industry which would result from a ban on live exports.

Mr. Maclean

There is no point in carrying out such an assessment, as a ban on the export of animals would contravene the treaty of Rome and would not therefore be proposed or permitted.

Mr. Bellotti

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made towards his goal of retaining the minimum values order in respect of exports of horses and ponies.

Mr. Maclean

There have been no negotiations on the proposed Community regulation on the protection of animals during transport since February 1990. When negotiations resume we will continue to press for the retention of measures to prevent the export of horses arid ponies for slaughter.