§ Mrs. Angela KnightTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she proposes to take to improve the protection of orphan lambs in markets.
§ Mr. SoamesA new order has been made under the Animal Health Act 1981 which gives additional protection to young lambs and goat kids at livestock markets. From 1 January 1994, the amount of time unaccompanied lambs and goat kids under four weeks of age can spend in a livestock market will be limited to four hours. While at the market they must be housed in solid sided draught free pens and provided with dry bedding. A further provision to ban lambs and goat kids from markets if they have an unhealed navel will come into force on 1 January 1995.
The Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990 already lays down certain other provisions to protect unaccompanied lambs under four weeks of age at markets. This legislation specifies that these animals must be housed under cover in bedded accommodation, and also precludes sick lambs from being exposed for sale. These provisions also apply to goat kids.