§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the proposed horse passports scheme will allow the horse owner to opt not to sell the carcase for human consumption; whether such a declaration would last for the life of the horse; what restrictions are planned with regard to such animals being slaughtered in a normal abattoir; and if she will make a statement about horse passports. [89758]
§ Mr. MorleyThe horse passport includes a declaration to be signed by the owner about whether or not the horse is intended for human consumption.
If the owner declares that the horse is not intended for human consumption then the carcase cannot go for human consumption. Such a declaration, once made, cannot be changed during the lifetime of a horse. It is possible to change a declaration that a horse is intended for human consumption to say that the horse is not now intended for human consumption. Such a horse could not then be slaughtered for the human food chain.
The proposed changes in the legislation relating to horse passports contain no changes to the legislation governing where horses may be slaughtered.