§ Mr. Simsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he is satisfied that the criteria for battery cage farming, laid down in the Agricultural (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968, are 148W adhered to; and how many prosecutions in respect of these provisions have been brought in each of the last five years;
(2) how frequently firms using the battery cage system for egg production are normally inspected; how many inspectors he has on his staff carrying out this work; and if he is satisfied that there are sufficient inspectors to supervise this aspect of farming.
§ Mr. StrangI am satisfied both that the criteria laid down in the 1968 Act are being adhered to in the great majority of cases and that the arrangements for inspecting hen battery units are adequate. Two hundred and two officers of the State veterinary service in England and Wales have among their duties the welfare inspection of battery hen units. Their visits are not undertaken according to a prescribed timetable but take place as frequently as possible. In addition, all other officers of the Ministry who visit farms are instructed to draw any unsatisfactory welfare aspects to the attention of the veterinary service so that welfare inspections can be made. No prosecutions under the 1968 Act have been taken against owners of hen battery units over the last five years. Experience has shown that the best results are gained through giving advice to farmers on how to improve welfare.