LIVE ANIMAL TRANSPORT

Early day motion 768, tabled 30 January 2002 by Nick Palmer (Labour). Signed by 116 members.

That this House notes that it is one year since the first case of foot and mouth disease was identified; is aware of the devastating impact foot and mouth has had on animal welfare and farmers and the rural community at large; acknowledges that foot and mouth spread quickly and so extensively partly owing to inadequate controls on live animal transport; calls on food manufacturers, retailers and caterers to require higher standards of their hauliers and suppliers when transporting animals in order to improve animal welfare and reduce the threat of spreading disease; and further calls on her Majesty's Government to improve UK legislation on the protection of animals during transport so as to reduce the risk of any future outbreaks spreading to a similar extent and to press the EU to do likewise.

Signatures by party: Labour 81, Liberal Democrat 15, Conservative 9, Labour/Co-operative 6, UUP 3, DUP 2.