Madam President, there are some transporters of animals who do act responsibly, who do water and feed the animals and put them in layerage. There are many irresponsible transporters too. But why this transport of animals? In one particular instance, the transport of sheep from Great Britain to France, we are told that the French housewife prefers meat from freshly killed animals. My colleague, David Morris, who has had many reports on animal transport, will challenge the French housewife: he will prepare two dishes of lamb - one from freshly killed lamb, and one from chilled; and he will challenge the French housewife to tell which is which.

This is a long-running saga. Certainly we want to be responsible towards our farmers. But today we must reassert the position of Parliament, and Parliament has taken a very strong position. We have to have European rules, because we have a responsibility to farmers and a responsibility for the humane treatment of animals. This has been going on for a long, long time. Let us reassert our position today and insist that we as a European Union enforce humane rules, and police them.