§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they intend to take following the statement of the Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Elliot Morley) on the Channel Four television programme "Countryside Under Cover—The Follow Up" that the law in relation to pig tail-docking is not adequate. [HL2527]
§ Lord DonoughueFarmers must understand that tail docking of piglets may only be used as a last resort when other means of controlling the vice of tail biting have failed. We have emphasised this to pig industry and veterinary representatives.
Each time an officer of the State Veterinary Service visits a pig farm, the farmer is reminded that the law does not permit tail-docking to be carried out routinely, but only where injuries to other piglets have occurred or are likely to occur. Where tail-docking is found, farmers must justify the procedure.
42WAThis Government will continue to address how to reduce the incidence of tail-docking.