§ Miss Fookesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the legal provisions in force to safeguard the welfare of animals farmed for their fur;
(2) if he is satisfied, that there is no ill treatment existing on farms rearing animals for fur.
§ Mr. StrangThe legal provisions relating to the welfare of animals farmed for fur are: Protection of Animals Acts 1911–1964 (as amended); Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968, Part 1 (as amended). Visits made by the 151W State Veterinary Service to premises where mink or blue foxes are kept commercially for their fur have shown the welfare of these animals to be satisfactory.
The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 at present makes welfare provision for foxes—other than the common red fox—but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is shortly to make an order to remove the Arctic, or blue, fox from the scope of the Act.