asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is considering lifting the export licensing restriction on sending live cattle to the Middle East for slaughter; and if he is satisfied as to the conditions under which such animals would be slaughtered.

I have been asked to reply.The Department of Trade will, on my Department's advice, continue to refuse licences to export food animals to any country which does not have satisfactory welfare arrangements. No Middle Eastern country wishing to import such food animals has been able to offer welfare safeguards which we have considered adequate.