§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if egg producers will be permitted to beak trim chickens intended for laying up to a maximum of 10 days of age, where carried out by qualified staff. [45315]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 26 March 2002]:Council Directive 99/74/EC prohibits all mutilation but permits member states to authorise beak trimming provided it is carried out by qualified staff on chickens that are less than 10 days old and intended for laying. It is intended that the directive will be implemented in England without being added to in any way. An implementing SI will shortly be presented to Parliament.