Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Rosindell and James Paice

Thursday 30th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)]

7. What estimate she has made of the proportion of livestock slaughtered in England that was reared in the UK in the last year for which figures are available.

[The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr James Paice)]

The vast majority of livestock slaughtered in England will have been reared in the United Kingdom. A small number, including some spent hens, are from the Republic of Ireland, and a very small number will be imported from mainland Europe for slaughter rather than for breeding purposes.

[Andrew Rosindell]

I thank the Minister for his response. The transport of livestock over long distances can cause unnecessary suffering and distress. Does he agree that where possible the slaughter of animals should be done locally, to avoid that distress and long transportation?

[Mr Paice]

I think that most people entirely agree with my hon. Friend, and certainly I do. We want to encourage the slaughtering of animals locally wherever possible. Not only is it good for welfare reasons, it is good for local employment and fits in with local food, which we all want to encourage.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Debate between Andrew Rosindell and James Paice

Friday 17th June 2011 Ministerial Corrections

[Andrew Rosindell]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money her Department allocated to each local authority for animal health and welfare work in each of the last three financial years.

[Official Report, 27 April 2011, Vol. 527, c. 409-12W.]

Letter of correction from Mr Jim Paice:

Four errors have been identified in the table accompanying the written answer given to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) on 27 April 2011. The incorrect figures, all relating to the 2010-11 financial year, were Barnsley £23,266, Bradford £38,080, Kirklees £29,640 and South Tyneside £3,020.

The correct answer should have been:

[Mr Paice]

DEFRA funding allocated to each local authority for animal health and welfare work in each of the last three financial years is shown in the following table: