asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that old horses are being exported from this State to the Continent for use as food; and, if so, whether he will take steps to stop this traffic.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Old Horses.
If the Deputy will repeat this question in the course of the coming week I will give a comprehensive reply.
asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) if an article under the title "Traffic in Horses," published in an English newspaper on the 16th May, 1948, has been brought to his notice, in which it is alleged that there is open flouting in England and Belgium of this Government's Order prohibiting the export of horses for slaughter to these countries, and that these horses, having been imported as working horses, are subjected to the most brutal treatment before being slaughtered and sold in the black market for human consumption; (b) if he has inquired into the veracity of these allegations; and (c) should the result of his inquiries warrant it, if he will take the matter up with the Governments of the countries concerned, with a view to putting a stop to these inhuman practices.
I will give the same answer to Deputy Lynch. If he will repeat the question next week, I hope to give a comprehensive reply.