HC Deb 19 April 1994 vol 241 cc443-4W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she has taken to raise awareness of issues of welfare in the transportation of live animals with the Governments of other member states.

Mr. Soames

The Government take every opportunity in the Council of Agriculture Ministers and elsewhere to press for our high standards of animal welfare during transport to be applied throughout the European Community.

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what animal identification methods will be acceptable under the EU directive 92/65/EEC on the import and export of animals.

Mr. Soames

The current arrangements for identifying animals for import and export are not altered by directive 92/65 except in the case of cats and dogs imported into the United Kingdom. From 1 July 1994 traded cats and dogs imported under the directive will have to be identified with an implanted microchip.

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether Ministers of her Department have supported in meetings of the Council of Ministers a maximum journey time of eight hours for livestock.

Mr. Soames

In Community negotiations the United Kingdom is taking full account of the case for journey limits and how they could be enforced.

Mr. Jack

I briefed representatives of the NFFO and of other fishermen's organisations fully on the outcome of the Norwegian accession negotiations on 22 March.