Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to improve the welfare arrangements for the export of horses for slaughter. [129031]

Mr Heath, Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: The Government support the recommendation made by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that the maximum journey time for horses going to slaughter should be reduced from 24 hours to 12 hours. We will continue to press the Commission to introduce this change at the earliest possible opportunity.

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