§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on the competitiveness of UK pig farming in Europe of the UK ban on farrowing crates. [37575]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 April 1998]: None, the use of farrowing crates is not banned in the UK. Sow stalls and tethers will be banned in the UK from 1 January 1999. While no assessment has been made of the impact of this ban, it does present the UK pig sector with marketing opportunities emphasising high welfare standards.