§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the European Council of Ministers further to consider United Kingdom minimum values legislation on the export of horses, ponies and other equines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to the reply, 18 July 1991, c. 282]: The Agriculture Council reached agreement yesterday on a directive setting welfare conditions for the 511W transport of all types of animal in the Community. It introduces comprehensive welfare safeguards for the first time in this area.
The directive establishes controls on the long distance transport of animals about which there has been so much concern. Animals will have to be rested, fed and watered at appropriate intervals. Before the directive comes into force the Council will address the issue of an overall limitation of journeys. This will be particularly relevant to the transport of animals for slaughter. There will also be a comprehensive system of documents to accompany vehicles for control purposes, and for long journeys transporters will have to draw up journey plans specifying the arrangements for resting, feeding and watering. Equivalent rules will apply to imports from third countries. There will be a Commission inspectorate to ensure uniform enforcement of the rules.
The issue of trade in horses has been of major concern to the United Kingdom in these negotiations. The agreement provides that national rules will remain applicable for horses and our national arrangements will therefore continue. The Council has agreed to return to this issue at a later stage with a view to setting additional welfare safeguards for all transport of horses in the Community.
The United Kingdom has also secured agreement that the problems of trade in wild birds will be addressed further by the Council, with a view to setting additional welfare safeguards.
Overall this represents a very satisfactory result in an area which is very controversial throughout the Community.