HC Deb 14 June 1994 vol 244 cc438-9W
Mr. Meale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many local registered veterinary inspectors in the United Kingdom there were in every year since 1979.

Mr. Soames

The recorded number of local veterinary inspectors in Great Britain in each of the years 1987–93 is as follows:

Year Number of LVIs
1987 4,870
1988 5,120
1989 5,165

Year Number of LVIs
1990 5,370
1991 5,479
1992 5,852
1993 5,841

Figures prior to 1987 are not readily available.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current Government position on the export of live animals; and what legislative changes have occurred since 1979.

Mr. Soames

The Government continue to press for high standards of animal health and welfare to be applied throughout the European Community to the transport of animals, including exports.

Legislative changes since 1979 are listed as follows:

  1. (a) EC Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport (OJ No. L340, 11 12 1991, p. 17) (revoked and replaced two earlier directives).
  2. (b) The following national (GB) legislation came into force which also implements the above directive:—
    • The Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) (Amendment) Order 1979, S.I. 1979/1013
    • The Export of Animals (Protection) Order 1981, S.I. 1981/1051
    • The Transit of Animals (Amendment) Order 1988, S.I. 1988/815
    • The Welfare of Poultry (Transport) Order 1988, S.I. 1988/851
    • The Welfare of Poultry (Transport) (Amendment) Order 1989, S.I. 1989/52
    • The Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1992, S.I. 1992/3304
  3. (c) In addition, a number of EC directives laying down detailed animal health rules governing intra-community trade in live animals have been implemented in Great Britain by means of the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/3247).

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