Farm Animals (Hansard, 7 February 1990)

§ Mr. Gummer

I am determined that the special concern which the United Kingdom has shown towards animal welfare is carried across to our partners in the European Community. The protection of farm animals is now inevitably a European issue and Britain will have to play an active part in getting higher standards of animal welfare throughout the Community.

Animal welfare is an issue which transcends national boundaries and has to be tackled on a Community basis. While in some circumstances we have to reserve the right to maintain national controls, we must avoid encouraging imports from countries where standards are lower than our own. The way forward therefore is to seek the fullest degree of harmonisation so that all countries of the Community operate to the same high standards.

The Community has already taken some action in this area but much remains to be done. We will in particular press for action in the Community in the following areas: Protection of animals in transit. There must be proper standards for transport including requirements for feeding, resting and adequate ventilation. Community rules must allow for surveillance during journeys particularly at key points such as sea and air ports. Protection of horses. The Government recognise the concern about this issue. We will press for controls to be maintained on exports of horses for slaughter and for legislation to ensure proper welfare safeguards whenever horses are transported or slaughtered. Welfare of pigs and calves. The Commission has made proposals but these need to be revised to take more account of the very real concern about certain farming systems such as veal crates (which have already been banned in the United Kingdom) and stall and tether systems for dry sows. Poultry. When the battery hens directive was under negotiation the United Kingdom maintained that the minimum space allowance of 450 sq cm per bird (as finally agreed) was inadequate. This continues to be our view and in the review of the directive, which the Commission is required to complete by the end of 1992, we will press for an allowance of at least 600 sq cm. The review should also address improvements to the design of cages, and the welfare problems which can arise in alternative systems. For broilers Community rules are required to establish proper standards for husbandry, collection and transport. Other species. Common standards are needed for the keeping of all farm livestock. These should cover specific issues such as the use of electric goads and rules on stocking densities, ventilation of buildings etc. Slaughter. Common standards must be introduced as part of the completion of the single market. Community rules will have to have proper regard to the religious beliefs of citizens. Enforcement. There are claims that observation of welfare legislation is not uniform throughout the Community. The 711W legislation must be rigorously enforced and there must be a Commission inspectorate to ensure uniform application by the authorities in all the member states. 712W The United Kingdom will press for action in these areas in order to achieve the improvements in farm animal welfare which are urgently needed in the Community.