§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer 27 March,Official Report, column 501, which company was responsible for transporting animals to Brightlingsea; and what plans he has to prosecute it for breaking the 15-hour rule. [18038]
§ Mrs. BrowningI am not, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, in a position to disclose the identity of the company concerned. Prosecution for breaking the 15-hour rule would not be sensible in this case where feeding and watering were precluded by the presence of protesters.
§ Sir Terence HigginsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he has to prevent vessels carrying live animals from putting to sea in bad weather. [17468]
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§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 3 March 1995]: Inspectors and veterinary inspectors of the ministry have powers to prohibit the transport of animals where they consider the animals are about to be transported in a way which may cause them unnecessary suffering, or in any way which does not comply with any provision of the welfare legislation made under sections 37, 38, or 39 of the Animal Health Act 1981.
The Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994, made under the 1981 Act, places a duty on masters of vessels not to carry animals if, in their judgment, there are grounds for believing that, due to adverse weather conditions, the voyage will be attended by serious risk to the animals of injury, suffering or death. A number of sailings from various ports this winter were cancelled for this reason.
§ Sir Terence HigginsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what inspections were carried out by officials to check that the carriage of live animals by the vessel Northern Cruiser was in conformity with all the provisions of the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994; what provisions existed for isolation of ill or injured animals during the voyage and first aid treatment, schedule 3 section 18; and if he will make a statement. [17467]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 3 March 1995]: Before the vessel was used to carry animals it was inspected by the ministry's livestock transport adviser to, ensure that the facilities met the requirements of the legislation. Veterinary inspectors have also accompanied sailings with animals on board to monitor conditions during the voyage.
The Department is not of the view that point 18 of schedule 3 to the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994, which implements a requirement of EC directive 91/628, applies when animals are being carried on a roll-on/roll-off ferry.