Fur Farms

HC Deb 15 February 1995 vol 254 cc713-4W

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink were killed on fur farms in the United Kingdom in 1994; and how their carcasses were disposed of.

Mrs. Browning

This information is not available.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people were employed in the killing of animals on fur farms in the United Kingdom in 1994; and what were their qualifications for this.

Mrs. Browning

In monitoring welfare standards on fur farms the state veterinary service takes account of guidelines laid down in the recommendation concerning fur animals adopted by the Council of Europe in 1990. That recommendation specifies that the killing of farmed fur-bearing animals must be carried out by a competent person. However, no specific qualifications are laid down and information regarding the number of people involved is not available.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the environment needs of farmed mink and Arctic fox; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Browning

The Farm Animal Welfare Council's review of fur farming in 1989 considered the environmental needs of farmed mink and fox. It concluded that there was insufficient evidence to make specific recommendations on the keeping of fur-bearing animals and recommended that the industry should carry out further research.

The Farm Animal Welfare Council has recently given its views on a report by Respect For Animals which made certain recommendations regarding the keeping of mink and Arctic fox. Interested organisations are being consulted on this further advice from FAWC.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many reports he has received of mink escaping from fur farms on the Isle of Wight in the last 10 years.

Mrs. Browning

Over the last 10 years no reports have been received by this Ministry of mink escaping from the licensed mink farm on the Isle of Wight.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licences for fur factory farms of the Isle of Wight he has issued in the last 10 years.

Mrs. Browning

In each of the last 10 years only one licence has been issued to keep mink at premises on the Isle of Wight.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are carried out to ensure that pentobarbiturate used killing animals on fur farms has been properly and legally authorised and obtained.

Mrs. Browning

Products used to kill animals require authorisation under the marketing authorisation for veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994. All such products are categorised as prescription-only medicines and are subject to the usual checks for product of that sort. Members of the state veterinary service, as part of their duties during regular visits to all farms for welfare purposes, including fur farms, check that veterinary medicines have been properly authorised and obtained.