§ 13. Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Council directive 95/29/EEC to safeguard the welfare of live farm animals exported from the United Kingdom. [3732]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe directive provides for the first time a framework within which we can seek to ensure that all member states fulfil their responsibility to enforce agreed Community-wide rules on animal welfare in transit.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the dates during 1995 and 1996 when his officials at Dover have requested advice under the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1994 due to their concern that a vessel was about706W to sail in weather and sea conditions when unnecessary suffering or injury might have been caused to the livestock on board; [5397]
(2) if he will list the dates during 1995–96 on which a notice has been served by his staff under the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1994 on ships leaving any United Kingdom port prohibiting them from sailing due to adverse weather and the risk of unnecessary suffering or injury to livestock on board; [5395]
(3) on what dates advice has been given to field staff as cited in his instruction "Advice to Field Staff, Carriage of Livestock in Rough Weather, October 1996"; [5399]
(4) on how many occasions during 1995–96 a written or verbal instruction has been issued that the decision to sail in adverse weather with livestock on board must rest solely with the master of the vessel; [5398]
(5) if he will list the dates during 1995–96 on which a notice has been served by his staff under the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1994 during a prospective channel crossing on any vehicle preventing it from boarding a vessel due to rough weather and the risk of unnecessary suffering or injury; [5396]
(6) what advice was given when Ministry inspectors at Dover telephoned the State Veterinary Service livestock transport adviser or the veterinary adviser, animal health and welfare section at Tolworth on 6 November about a prospective sailing by the M.V. Cap Afrique. [5400]
§ Mrs. BrowningCommunication between the Ministry's staff at Dover and headquarters is frequent, and often by telephone and unrecorded. Discussions on the weather have the aim of assisting the staff at Dover to form a view. No notices have been served on ships or vehicles to prevent transport on grounds of rough weather. Guidance to staff on this matter is clearly set out in a document entitled. "Advice to Field Staff, Carriage of Livestock by Sea in Rough Weather". A copy is being placed in the Library of the House.