HC Deb 02 March 1993 vol 220 cc82-3W
Mr. Bayley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures are in place to ensure that the EC directive on the transport of live animals is complied with.

Mr. Soames

Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport is implemented in Great Britain by the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1992 which came into force on 1 January 1993. The order is enforced by local authority inspectors with support and advice as necessary from the state veterinary service—SVS—which also arranges for the inspection of all consignments of livestock transported to other member states. Local authority and SVS inspectors have wide powers to stop and detain consignments of animals and to make spot checks.

Enforcement in other member states is a matter for the authorities concerned. The directive provides for the European Commission to carry out inspections to ensure uniform application of the rules.