Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy objectives are with respect to the transport of animals over long distances. [168318]

Mr Heath, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food: In line with the relevant legal requirements in Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005, this Government expects that transport of animals over long distances should be limited as far as possible and that the health and welfare of animals during transport should be protected so as to avoid injury or undue suffering. We expect all transporters to abide by both EU and domestic legislation and will not tolerate any welfare breaches of the legislation.

We have made clear in Brussels that this Government supports improvements being made to enforcement across the EU of existing rules on the long distance transport of livestock. We have also called on the European Commission to update the rules on welfare during transport where there is sufficient scientific evidence to support a change. This includes reducing the maximum journey time for horses and better protection for the transport of infant livestock.

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