23 Nov 2005 : Column 2036W—continuedRacehorses
Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether racehorses have been deemed to be commercial animals for the purposes of regulations governing burial of animals. [27318]
Margaret Beckett: The disposal of animal carcases and other animal by-products is governed by Regulation (EC) 1774/2002. The regulation bans burial as a disposal route for animal by-products. A derogation exists within the regulation that permits the burial of pet animals only to continue. However in our view a racehorse is clearly a working commercial animal and not a pet.