§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to persuade EU partners, when undertaking the review of Council Directive 91/628/EEC required by Article 13 of that Directive, to abandon the long distance transport of live farm animals throughout the European Union and replace such transport with a trade in meat and carcases; and if he will make a statement. [74324]
§ Mr. MorleyWe attach great importance to this review, which is required to take place this year. We will be pressing the European Commission to bring it forward to time. In contacts with other Member States in the run-up to the review, we shall continue to press the case for reduced journey times to slaughter, for the highest94W welfare standards to be set and our view that a carcase trade is preferable to long distance live transports for slaughter.
§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of what proportion of consignments of live sheep exported from the UK he has requested in the last year the competent authorities in other Member States to confirm that the arrangements set out in the route plan for giving animals rest, liquid and food are adhered to; and if he will make a statement. [74322]
§ Mr. MorleyMonitoring compliance with route plans once sheep have left Great Britain is the responsibility of the Member States concerned. Officials of this Department maintain contacts with their opposite numbers in the other Member States to try and ensure that there is effective enforcement and that information concerning contraventions is sent back to us. We cannot expect the competent authorities concerned to check on large numbers of consignments nominated by us, but they have helped us on a case by case basis on a small proportion of consignments in the last year. We also look to the European Commission to fulfil its responsibility to ensure that Member States implement and enforce the requirements.