§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what United Kingdom authority has responsibility for statutory regulations governing live cargo while at sea; and at what point that responsibility ceases when animals are transported across the North sea. [38413]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 22 July 1996]: A considerable number of provisions, including EU regulations cover controls on the transport of animals, their welfare, and the responsibility for enforcement. Some requirements are placed on the member state of departure, which may be extended if the vessel or aircraft concerned is owned by nationals of that member state, and some on the receiving member state. Within each member state it may be a matter for national government, in one form or another, or a local authority to enforce. All these factors would have to be considered, as would the nature of any breach, when deciding respective responsibilities on journey across the North sea.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list all export health certificates used for trade between the United Kingdom, 641W Northern Ireland and EU member states between 1991 and 1996 until the implementation of the beef export ban for cattle exported (a) for further fattening and (b) for slaughter; [38417]
(2) what certification is required in respect of cattle exported from (a) Great Britain and (b) Northern Ireland for immediate slaughter. [38418]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 22 July 1996]: The certificates used for exports between 1991 and 1996 specifically for (a) production cattle (further fattening) and (b) slaughter cattle from Great Britain to another member state were certificates EC 56 and EC 57 respectively. These and the equivalent certificates for exports from Northern Ireland were based on the model certificates laid down in directive 64/432. As a result of the export ban no cattle are currently exported from the United Kingdom.