HC Deb 12 June 1997 vol 295 c536W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to minimise journey times for animals between point of production and place of slaughter; and if he will make a statement. [1573]

Mr. Morley

The rules on journey times for live farm animals are laid down by EU Directive 91/628, as amended in 1995. We shall be seeking improvements, especially in relation to slaughter animals, when these rules come up for review in 1999. In the meantime we have made the new Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 to bring about overdue implementation of the 1995 EU rules and to enable controls on the welfare of animals in transit to be tightened. We will not compromise on these rules.