964 



Exportation of Horses. 



[Feb., 



tion of these Acts were reorganised in the spring of last year, 

 when whole-time veterinary inspectors of the Ministry were 

 appointed to carry out the inspections at all the regular ports of 

 shipment, and such a standard of fitness was established that the 

 shipment of any worn-out or decrepit horse has been entirely 

 stopped. 



The new Order pursues this matter further by prescribing a 

 certain definite standard to which the fittings of all vessels 

 engaged in the transport of horses by sea from this country are 

 required to conform by 1st April, 1922, and states clearly the 

 provision which is to be made for feeding and watering the 

 animals before embarkation and during the passage. Among 

 other provisions the Order definitely prohibits the carriage of 

 horses, asses or mules during the winter months except under a 

 permanent deck cover. 



Much has, however, already been done during the past 12 

 months to improve the fittings of vessels engaged in this trade. 

 Although the provisions of the Order may necessitate some further 

 expenditure on the part of shipping companies in alterations of 

 fittings of vessels used for carrying horses by sea, they are 

 regarded as essential for the proper protection of the animals 

 against avoidable suffering. The marine department of the 

 Board of Trade was closely consulted by the Ministry when 

 framing the Order and that Department considers the Order to 

 be a practicable one. 



Horses exported to any port on the continent of Europe, can 

 now be shipped only at the ports of London, Leith, Goole, Hull, 

 Harwich. Folkestone or Southampton. A notice in writing of 

 every intended shipment has to be given to the Ministry's veteri- 

 nary inspector at the port so as to reach him by 2 p.m. on the 

 preceding day. Horses must be at the place of shipment at 

 least one hour before the examination commences. During this 

 period they are kept under close supervision to prevent doping 

 or the adoption of any other device by unscrupulous dealers to 

 make them appear fit when examined. 



In addition, the Order re-enacts, with certain improvements, 

 the existing provisions relating to the carriage of horses by rail, 

 from the point of view of the prevention of avoidable suffering. 

 Horses carried in trucks open at the sides have to be protected 

 by tarpaulin sheets. When the journey is protracted the horses 

 must be fed at least once in every 24 hours. The provisions as 

 to the cleansing and disinfection of vessels and railway vehicles 



