HC Deb 19 December 1972 vol 848 cc1106-7
12. Mr. Cronin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will institute an inquiry into the practice of factory farming with a view to ascertaining the amount of cruelty to animals involved, the economic advantages to the community, the extent to which the public are deprived of freedom of choice and the profits obtained by the firms or individuals practising it.

Mrs. Fenner

Farm animal welfare under all systems of husbandry is kept under continuous review. My right hon. Friend sees no need for such an inquiry.

Mr. Cronin

Is there not good reason to believe that the present extensive use of factory farming involves widespread cruelty to animals and large profits to individuals and is of doubtful value to th community? Is it not time that the Government took steps to end the worst aspects of the system?

Mrs. Fenner

I cannot accept what the hon. Member said. It was not the conclusion of the Brambell Committee in 1965. It was not borne out by the survey carried out by the State Veterinary Service in 1970 which showed that welfare conditions of livestock and poultry on more than 4,000 units visited were generally satisfactory. I believe that the survey covered a good cross-section of the livestock units in the country and that the conclusions can be applied to the country as a whole.

Sir Robin Turton

If my hon. Friend is relying of the Brambell Report, should she not see that its advice is carried out?

Mrs. Fenner

I take the point raised by my right hon. Friend. We have opted not for a mandatory code but for welfare code standards.

Mr. Deakins

In view of the big developments in factory farming and the increased incentives, as we enter the Common Market, for farmers to seek further cost-cutting methods, is there not now a case for keeping factory farming developments under continuous review? If the Minister agrees that that would be a good thing, has she any suggestions to put forward about how it should be carried out?

Mrs. Fenner

I hope I have assured hon. Members that all farm husbandry systems are kept under continuous review. This includes factory farming.