§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that all imported bacon is labelled so as to indicate if it was raised in accord with UK levels of animal welfare. [100101]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 29 November 1999]: We are consulting all interested parties on guidance aimed at ensuring that country of origin markings on food labels including those on bacon, do not mislead consumers about the true origin of the ingredients used. We also intend to promote changes to European and international labelling rules and advice to ensure that consumers are given accurate information about the true origin of the foods they are buying. In the meantime, we will continue to encourage retailers, caterers and public procurement authorities to source their supplies of pork and pork products to British standards.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will strengthen the prohibition on the routine tail-docking of piglets in the proposed new Regulations on the Welfare of Farmed Animals to ensure that tail-docking is carried out only after consideration of528W other methods which might prevent tail-biting, and only on the advice of a veterinary surgeon; and if he will make a statement. [101635]
§ Mr. MorleyThis is one suggestion that has been made in response to the consultation on the new Welfare of Fanned Animals Regulations. It is under consideration along with the many other comments received.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he plans to take to press the European Commission to submit to the Council the report and proposals on intensive pig farming required by Article 6 of Council Directive 91/630; and if he will make a statement. [101636]
§ Mr. MorleyWe lose no opportunity to remind the Commission of their obligation to bring forward various overdue proposals on animal welfare, including that required by Article 6 of Council Directive 91/630.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he has asked the Farm Animal Welfare Council to review the question of leg problems in broilers; and if he will make a statement; [101632]
(2) if he will commission an independent study to assess the incidence of leg weakness in the UK broiler chicken flock; and if he will make a statement. [101633]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Farm Animal Welfare Council continues to monitor leg health in broiler chickens and is evaluating data on leg health provided by the industry. We shall consider the position when further advice from FAWC is received.