HC Deb 26 October 1993 vol 230 cc564-5W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will give an estimate of the annual number of live animals arriving in the United Kingdom illegally ; what type of animals are involved; what countries are involved; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

Comprehensive information on live animals imported into the United Kingdom in contravention of animal health import legislation, which is enforced by local authorities, is not held centrally.

However, a number of importers are still failing to provide my Ministry with the required advance notification of their intention to import live animals and consignments have been imported with incorrect official health certification. In each case my Ministry has taken up the matter either with importer concerned or with the veterinary authorities in the exporting member state, as appropriate.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received concerning EC legislation to protect the welfare of live farm animals during transport.

Mr. Soames

During the last 12 months the Government have received over 100,000 pieces of correspondence, and 81 petitions representing approximately 27,000 signatures, concerning the welfare of animals during transport, of which the majority concern our trade with the Community. New proposals to amend directive 91/628, on the welfare of animals during transport, were sent to over 500 interested organisations and individuals for consultation this summer. We have received 86 replies.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the proportion of consignments of animals imported from other EC member states from which blood samples have been taken since January; and what were the equivalent proportions for each of the previous two years.

Mr. Soames

The state veterinary service is carrying out at places of destination a significant number of veterinary checks—which includes, if appropriate, the taking of samples for testing—on animals imported from other member states. The number of blood, or other, samples varies according to the species of animal being imported, the country of origin, and the perceived disease risk at the time of import, but precise figures cannot be published for operational reasons.

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