§ 47. Mr. Grieveasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the review of animal welfare currently being carried out by the Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerAs a result of this review, the Agriculture Ministers have set up the farm animal welfare council whose terms of reference were announced on 25 July. I shall shortly be announcing its membership in full. The council has started to consider its advice on additional legal safeguards to protect farm animals and horses which are being exported and on the way in which the welfare codes for cattle, pigs, domestic fowls and turkeys need to be updated. The council is free to consider any farm animal welfare matter which falls within its remit and the Government will want its advice on other specific welfare matters from time to time.