§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for a total ban on all cage systems for laying hens throughout the EU. [1903]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government will be seeking substantial improvements to the EU welfare requirements for laying hens during the forthcoming review by the Council of Ministers of the battery hens directive 88/166/EEC. The detailed objectives will be determined in the light of the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on the welfare of laying hens, which we expect to be published shortly.