§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the inspector at Dover who telephoned the State Veterinary Service and the animal health and welfare sections at Tolworth on 6 November expressed concern regarding the MV Cap Afrique sailing in rough weather carrying livestock.[7718]
§ Mrs. BrowningNo.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if(a) the necessary journey plans had been approved,(b) export health certificates had been issued for the four consignments of livestock that boarded the MV Cap Afrique on 30 November and (c) the four consignments of sheep had benefited from at least 10 hours rest and had been fed and watered before being loaded at the point of departure. [7722]
§ Mrs. BrowningWe have no evidence to suggest that there were any infringements of the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994, as amended.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 19 November,Official Report, column 474, if the inspector who boarded the MV Cap Afrique registered concern to the master of the vessel about the sailing on 6 November. [7719]
§ Mrs. BrowningNo. The purpose of boarding the vessel was to ascertain if the master had exercised his judgment in accordance with article 11 of the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994, as amended.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of whether the sailing of the MV Cap Afrique on 6 November was likely to cause unnecessary suffering, injury or death to the animals on board the vessel, owing to the weather and sea conditions at the time of sailing. [7721]
§ Mrs. BrowningI have no reason to believe that the Department's inspectors did not exercise their judgment properly.