§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to introduce specific labelling of meat slaughtered under legal exemption by pre-stunning slaughter methods.
§ Mr. SoamesI have no such plans.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many horses are slaughtered for export in EC-approved abattoirs in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SoamesThe four slaughterhouses in the United Kingdom licensed to slaughter horses for export last year handled around 4,000 equines for human consumption. Data are not kept on the destination of the meat, but so far as my Department is aware the vast majority of the meat produced was exported.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps she has taken to ensure that the piece rate payments scheme operated widely in the United Kingdom slaughterhouses does not cause cruelty as a result of its emphasis on speed.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is the responsibility of all engaged in the slaughtering of animals to ensure that the requirements of welfare legislation are observed. This applies. irrespective of the method of payment to the abattoir work force.