Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he was first advised that the RSPCA were seeking in December 2007, to euthanise the cow, Gangotri, at Bhaktivedanta Manor under the terms of the Animal Welfare Act 2006; and if he will make a statement.
Answer
[holding answer 14 March 2008]: An Animal Health Veterinary Officer visited Bhaktivedanta Manor on 4 December 2007 to discuss Gangotri's welfare situation with the keepers.He concluded that the animal was suffering unnecessarily and wrote to the Hindu community at Bhaktivedanta Manor on 5 December 2007, advising that the animal should be put down during an arranged visit on 7 December 2007.Consent for euthanasia was refused on 7 December and the veterinary officer withdrew to discuss the matter with the divisional veterinary manager.RSPCA staff telephoned Animal Health officials on 11 December to advise them of their concerns about Gangotri. The Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health was informed about the Gangotri case on the afternoon of 12 December and was advised that imminent euthanasia was likely.