HC Deb 25 March 1968 vol 761 c189W
Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 514 on the problems raised by industrial stockbreeding which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 1st February, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

Mr. Mulley

Problems caused by the emergence of large-scale intensive enterprises in agriculture may have more relevance for countries with less developed agricultural industries than in the United Kingdom, where this development is contributing substantially to increased production. In the view of Her Majesty's Government it would be a retrograde step to seek to restrict developments of this kind in this country. The Recommendation is still being considered by the Committee of Ministers.