§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present position with regard to the standardisation of animal welfare legislation within the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangI have been asked to reply.
Existing EEC Directives require member States to stun domestic food animals and poultry before slaughter, subject to exemptions for religious slaughter. The EEC Council has under consideration measures to give legal effect within the Community to the Council of Europe Convention, already ratified by eight of the member States, for the protection of animals during international transport. The possibility of Community measures for the protection of animals on farms is also being considered.