§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will press for a redefinition of animals in the treaty of Rome from agricultural products to sentient beings; and if he will make a statement. [12163]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 29 January 1996]: The Government attach high priority to animal welfare. We secured the declaration, attached to the Maastricht treaty, which calls for full account to be taken of animal welfare in agricultural and other policies. We are considering possible options for building on this declaration as part of our detailed preparations for the intergovernmental conference later this year.