§ Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what minimum standards of accommodation and conditions have to be complied with before intensive beef production units can be put into operation;
(2) to what extent intensive beef production units are registered.
§ Mr. John MackieNo specific minimum standards of accommodation and conditions are required in intensive beef production units, nor are they registered. The question of whether standards are necessary in the interest of the welfare of animals is being examined by the technical committee under Professor F W. Rogers Brambell, to which I have referred in previous replies to the House.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of total fat cattle production in this country for the last available year came from intensive beef production units.
§ Mr. John MackieThe only available statistics relate to the intentions of producers generally as to age of slaughter. On this basis we estimate that in England and Wales about 20 per cent. of calves for beef are currently being reared by intensive and semi-intensive systems for slaughter up to about 15 months.