§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to amend the law to require all live sheep and goats exported from the United Kingdom to be ear-tagged or tattooed to show the holding of birth; and if he will make a statement. [46118]
§ Mr. RookerWork on a draft Order which would require sheep and goats in Great Britain to be identified with the holding of birth is currently in hand. The Government hope it will be possible to consult on this draft in late summer. In Northern Ireland, legislation is in place which requires all sheep and goats moving off the holding of birth to be identified with an eartag or tattoo, making it possible to identify the holding of birth.
§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he plans to introduce the new arrangements for live animal exports whereby certifying veterinarians will be nominated by the Government; and if he will make a statement; [46116]
(2) when he plans to announce the results of the review which he initiated in May 1997 of the arrangements for enforcing the rules on the welfare of farm animals exported live to the Continent; and if he will make a statement. [46117]
§ Mr. MorleyThe results of the review, including the principles of the proposed changes, were announced last Autumn. We are currently working up the final details for public consultation. When the consultation document is issued, which I hope will be next month, I will arrange to have a copy placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the result of the inquiry by the French Government into the failure of a number of424W live British calves exported to France in 1995 to reach the destinations declared in the route plans submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [46119]
§ Mr. MorleyA judicial investigation by the French Government is still under way and the Department continues to assist the French authorities in this matter.