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Animals (Export)

Volume 951: debated on Monday 12 June 1978

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asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study has been made by whom, when and with what result, of the bulk transport of young calves by air to various overseas destinations by name; and how many of these consignments have been accompanied to the destination stated on the export licence in 1976 and 1977, distinguishing between animals for slaughter and animals for breeding, by breed.

The carriage of farm animals, including young calves, by air is continuously being evaluated by Government veterinary staff. The number of consignments of young calves accompanied by veterinary staff was as follows:—

  • 1976
  • 6 to Italy
  • 3 to France
  • 1 to Belgium
  • 1977
  • 6 to Italy
These consignments were all accompanied to the "port and country overseas" stated on the export licence. They were all destined for further fattening. I regret that a breakdown by breed is not available.As a result of such accompaniments, Ministry veterinary staff have acquired further practical knowledge of transport of animals by air, in particular of the inter-related factors which affect the welfare of such animals—space, temperature humidity and the air support system—in various types of aircraft. Veterinary staff use the experience gained to advise air carriers. Evaluation will continue as types of aircraft and the equipment used continues to change. The veterinary service is also playing a leading part in an informal international group which liaises with IATA and which has begun to prepare codes of practice for the carriage of all species by air.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study has been made, by whom, when, and with what results, to evaluate the carriage of live farm animals for (a) slaughter, and (b) breeding, to destinations abroad.

The carriage of live farm animals for slaughter abroad was studied by the Committee of Inquiry into the export of live cattle to the continent for slaughter—the Balfour Committee—in 1957, and by the Committee on the export of animals for slaughter—The O'Brien Committee—in 1973–74. The carriage of live animals for slaughter or further fattening abroad was also studied in the inquiry into the live export trade by the Agriculture Departments in 1977–78. There have been no similar inquiries into the carriage of breeding animals.Apart from these formal investigations, Government veterinary staff are engaged in a continuous evaluation of the conditions of transport. In 1976 and 1977 the number of consignments of live animals accompanied by Government veterinary officers or the Ministry's marine superintendents was as follows:—

Breeding AnimalsAnimals for slaughter or further fattening
1976247
1977415
The main result of these accompanied trips is the greater availability of up-to-date information about the conditions of carriage, and of the animals behaviour and condition during the journey.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultations have taken place, with whom, when and with what results, on the recommendation of the report of the Committee on the Export of Live Animals for Slaughter, Command Paper No. 5566, published in March 1974, that there should be a register of approved livestock exporters with financial penalties for those who fail to maintain agreed standards; and whether he will list those exporters consulted over this proposal;(2) what consultations have taken place, with whom, when, and with what result, on the recommendation of the report of the Committee on the Export of Live Animals for Slaughter, Command Paper No. 5566, published in March 1974, that an export supervisory body comprising representatives of exporting, importing, production, veterinary, welfare and government interest should be established to advise him on all matters relating to conditions in the export trade in live animals for slaughter.

Following the publication in March 1974 of the Report of the Committee on the export of animals for slaughter, the Government sought comments on the Committee's recommendations from all those who had given oral and written evidence, and who are listed in Annex 4 of the Report. In addition, the Government consulted the National Association of British Market Authorities, National Cattle Breeders' Association, National Sheep Association, National Society for the Abolition of Factory Farming, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.The Government also discussed the recommendations which had a bearing on conditions overseas with the European Commission and with the national authorities of Belgium, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.In general, the exporting and farming interests supported the interim safeguards recommended by the Committee, which included the setting up of an export supervisory body and a register of approved exporters. Most of the welfare interests doubted whether the supervisory body composed of such diverse interests would be able to operate effectively particularly outside the United Kingdom. The welfare interests were divided on the establishment of a register: some agreed with this recommendation, while others felt that the proposals were unsatisfactory. The other member States consulted did not accept that it was necessary for animals to remain under British surveillance once they had landed on foreign soil. The European Commission expressed concern about the export suspension which was then in force, and stressed the desirability of common European measures.Having carefully considered all these views, the Government reached the decision, announced in the House by my predecessor on 16th January 1975, to concentrate on long-term European measures, which the Committee had considered to be the most effective means of safeguarding the animals' welfare, and not to bring in the interim measures.— [Vol. 884, cc. 696–817.]