Welsh Agriculture And Exports

EDM number 663 in 1994-95, proposed by Ieuan Wyn Jones on 22/02/1995.

That this House recognises the immense contribution made by the agricultural industry to the economic, social and cultural life of rural Wales; further recognises that the industry has had to face major challenges in recent years, including the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade concluded at the Uruguay round; nevertheless is impressed with the way the industry has responded to these challenges in securing new export markets for livestock produce; is very concerned at the failure of the European Council of Ministers at its meetings on 20th and 21st February to reach agreement on common standards for the transportation of animals and its earlier failure to reach agreement on the ending of the use of veal crates in all European Union member states; recognises that as a general principle animals should be slaughtered as near as possible to the point of production and calls for a comprehensive strategy of upgrading existing and establishing slaughter house facilities to achieve this, but in the meantime recognises that the continuation of live exports is currently very important to the agricultural industry and that an early settlement is crucial with the marketing of lambs reaching its peak in the spring and early summer; and calls on the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales to arrange urgent meetings with their counterparts in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece to impress upon them the need for a common approach to welfare standards so that the Council of Ministers meeting in March can come to an agreement without any further delay or prevarication.

This motion has been signed by a total of 3 MPs.