Live Animals (Transport) (Hansard, 5 July 1994)

§ Mr. Redwood

The Government are actuely aware of the great strength of feeling in this country on animal welfare, and are strongly committed to ensuring that the welfare of animals is properly safeguarded. The Government have strict rules to protect animals exported from this country. Where there has been evidence of infringements, prompt action has been taken to rectify the situation and, where appropriate, offenders have been prosecuted.

The EC directive on the protection of animals in transit sets Community standards for the transportation of all animals over 50 km. It requires animals to be fed, watered and rested at appropriate intervals, not exceeding 24 hours. It also required the European Commission to produce a report and, where appropriate, proposals on certain detailed issues, including feeding and watering intervals, rest periods and maximum journey times. Pending adoption of the measures, member states have been able to apply national rules in those areas, and in the United Kingdom the Government are currently applying a maximum feeding and watering interval of 15 hours for all livestock and 12 hours for poultry. For horses, the directive provides 171W for national rules to remain applicable and our national minimum value arrangements continue; there are no proposals at present which affect this.

At the Agriculture Council meeting on 20 June, proposals representing a significant improvement on those which the Government blocked in December last year were put forward. However, it became clear that further improvements could be made and the Commission has committed itself to bringing forward further proposals on journey limits by 1 July 1995.