§ Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action to provide safeguards for the welfare of animals in the European Union autumn trade round. [87416]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Government are committed to promoting high standards of animal welfare.
Following initiatives taken by the UK during our Presidency last year, the agreement on the Directive concerning the protection of farm animals included a commitment that the Commission should consider the scope for seeking changes to WTO rules in the next round to accommodate animal welfare concerns. We will consider this further in the run-up to the third WTO Ministerial at the end of this year.