HC Deb 19 January 1996 vol 269 cc785-6W
Mr. Etherington

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cause of death of the sheep found dead at Dover harbour on 18 December on a truck carrying a consignment of sheep destined for export through Dover; what was done with the carcasses on discovery, and for what reason; what action was taken by his officials in respect of the surviving sheep; where the dead sheep started their journey and what was the final destination stated in the journey plan; if any prosecution is to be brought in respect of the dead animals; and if he will make a statement. [9270]

Mrs. Browning

The two carcasses were found during inspection of the consignment prior to loading on to the vessel at Dover. The driver was directed to proceed to a local premises: the live sheep were unloaded under supervision and behaved normally. Post mortem inspections were carried out on the two dead sheep, which revealed congestion of the lungs. The consignment had set out from Hereford at 09.45 and arrived at Dover at 15.10. The matter has been investigated by the State Veterinary Service and Kent county council but no evidence was found to link the death of the sheep to the conditions of transport. The live sheep were all rested until the following day, when they were re-inspected and allowed to proceed to their final destination in France.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out all the information as to the final destination provided in the journey plans submitted in respect of the export of sheep in May 1995 for field slaughter near Paris; what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the destination with the provisions of paragraph 1(b) of article 3 of EC directive 91/628 on the protection of animals during transport; and if he will make a statement. [9351]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 16 January 1996]: Sheep shown to have been slaughtered at a religious festival near Paris last May had been consigned in late April from a starting point near Dover to an address in Mitry Mory, Paris. There is no evidence to suggest that irregularities occurred in relation to the provisions of directive 91/628. The animals were slaughtered several days after being delivered to their declared destination: there is no reason why they should not have been moved on from that destination after a suitable period of rest, and provision of food and water.