§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) official warnings were issued to pig farmers by his Department,(b) prosecutions of pig farmers were made by his Department,(c) complaints about poor welfare on pig farms were investigated by his veterinary staff and(d) welfare inspections were made to pig farms by his Department, in respect of breaches of statutory welfare provisions in 1997, or the most recent period for which figures are available. [44235]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 8 June 1998]: During 1997, veterinary staff of the Department's State Veterinary Service carried out 649 welfare inspections of pig farms, 145 of which followed complaints about poor welfare. Violations of legislation were found during 56 inspections and, in each case, warnings were given that legal action would be considered if improvements were not made. Prosecutions against pig farmers for welfare offences were initiated by the Department in 7 cases. The State Veterinary Service also co-operated closely with local authorities and other bodies over prosecutions they initiated against pig farmers for welfare offences.