To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking (a) to ensure that sheep exported from the United Kingdom on 5 July and currently held at two Italian abattoirs whilst a dispute about their health certification is resolved are properly cared for and (b) to resolve that dispute; and if he will make a statement. [9410]

Responsibility for the welfare of the exported sheep now rests with the Italian authorities We have pressed them to fulfil this responsibility, and understand that the Italian authorities are regularly checking the animals and the conditions in which they are being kept. We have made it clear to the Italian authorities that the certification that they are demanding has no basis in Community law and that we cannot provide it. We have also drawn the position to the attention of the European Commission. As we have stressed to the Italian authorities, it is vital, in the absence of an immediate solution to this problem, that what is to happen to the sheep is quickly resolved.