§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure eggs originating from a battery system are clearly labelled as such; and if he will make a statement. [53784]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Commission's Communication of 11 March 1998 on the protection of laying hens kept in various systems of rearing envisages the possibility of mandatory labelling of table eggs and packs by type of production. This would require a formal Commission proposal adopted via the Management Committee procedure. I strongly support the principle of mandatory labelling of egg packs and look forward to the eventual adoption of Commission proposals on this matter in the context of wider proposals on improved welfare for laying hens.