HC Deb 05 February 1996 vol 271 cc25-6W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many cases in September 1995 animal export health certificates were presented to his officials at Dover where the certificates or their accompanying schedules had not been completed in accordance with his Department's instructions to local veterinary inspectors; and if he will make a statement. [12637]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 30 January 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) on 26 October 1995, Official Report, column 751. Subsequent returns have identified two further minor deficiencies in documentation of which one was resolved locally and the other was referred back for resolution to the divisional veterinary manager for the area from which the animals originated.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether all consignments of animals for further fattening and calves destined for export from Brightlingsea between 18 January and 25 October 1995 arrived at the port with completed export certificates; and if consignments were unloaded from their respective vehicles and loaded into the MV Caroline with the same accompanying certificates. [12541]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: All consignments of animals for export from Brightlingsea, with one exception, arrived with completed export health certification although a number of minor irregularities were identified and resolved. The sole exception related to one certificate for slaughter sheep which was not signed and stamped by a LVI and the consignment had to be re-certified by a LVI at the port. All consignments were loaded on to the vessel in such a way as to ensure that individual consignments of animals remained segregated, each with the same accompanying health certification.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consignments of sheep for further fattening and calves were issued with an export health certificate for exit through the port of Brightlingsea between 18 January and 25 October 1995. [12542]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: Export health certification is not specific to a port, but 384 consignments of sheep and 664 consignments of calves were exported from the port in this period. It is not possible to given separate figures for sheep for slaughter and for further fattening except at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the anomalies in respect of the implementation of health export certificates for calves between(a) Holland, (b) Belgium, (c) France, (d) Italy and (e) the United Kingdom. [12916]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: All certificates for export of live animals to other EC member states are drawn up to ensure that they meet the necessary animal health requirements.