- Mr President, the background is that during the recess a number of incidents took place involving the transport of live animals from Britain to other parts of the European Community for slaughter which caused widespread outrage not only in the United Kingdom but all over the Community. As you know, Mr President, considerable pressure has been exerted on the Commission and Council by Parliament to introduce a more acceptable journey time limit for the transport of live animals. You will recall that at the Brussels mini part-session I asked for a statement from the Commission. Since then the Council met in Brussels last week but failed to arrive at any conclusion on this matter and has postponed a decision further by asking for a report from a group of veterinary experts.

Many Members of this House regard that as very unsatisfactory and my group has therefore tabled an oral question for debate to the Commission asking when it proposes to bring forward legislation and secondly what action it is taking now, in accordance with existing European Community law and in cooperation with the authorities of Member States, to prosecute those transporters who are responsible for causing unnecessary suffering to animals.