§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce exemptions for Highlands and Islands farmers from the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1997; and if he will make a statement. [7242]
§ Mr. ChisholmI have been asked to reply.
The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 enables my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to grant exemption from most of its provisions, to any person transporting animals within the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area. Applications for such exemption will each be considered on the basis of all the relevant circumstances and shall be granted only where the welfare of the animals would not be put at risk as a result.