Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Thursday, 18 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 June 2000. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Monday, 5 June 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many cases there have been of hunts being (a) prosecuted, (b) given a verbal warning and (c) given a written warning over feeding specified risk material to packs of hounds in each of the last three years. - Inc figures and fact that it is not possible to determine how many of these relate to feeding SRM to hounds except at disproportionate cost. (Holding answer 23 May 2000).

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases there have been of hunts being (a) prosecuted, (b) given a verbal warning and (c) given a written warning over feeding specified risk material to packs of hounds in each of the last three years. [123472] Ms Quin: [holding answer 23 May 2000]: The feeding of SRM to hounds is classified as a Category 1 failure of the SRM controls. Out of 9802 visits to hunt kennels and knackers yards during the past three years, 43 Category 1 failures were noted. It is not possible to determine how many of these relate to feeding SRM to hounds except at disproportionate cost. All such failures would be notified in writing, unless the enforcement authority expressly requested that this is not done. Prosecution is a matter for the appropriate local authority.

Secondary information