§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will publish the recent reports he has received about welfare standards in the Dutch pig industry; and if he will make a statement. [101699]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 7 December 1999]: I am aware both of a survey report on the website of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture about compliance levels with Dutch pig welfare rules and of a booklet setting out new Dutch welfare rules for pigs. Publication of both the booklet and the material on the website is a matter for the Dutch authorities. I have not formally been sent copies of these documents but both the Prime Minister and I have received letters from the Dutch Meat Board about their pork quality assurance scheme.