§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the areas of animal welfare in which they acted immediately where it was necessary.
Earl FerrersWithin a few weeks of coming into office, the Government appointed the Farm Animal Welfare Council with a wide-ranging remit to keep under review the welfare of farm animals. In the light of the council's advice, the harvesting of antler velvet from farmed deer was prohibited in 1980 and a new order governing the export of farm animals was made in 1981. The Government are acting on, or considering, several other council recommendations. In addition, the Government take appropriate action in response to reports received, both from their own officials and from others, about particular circumstances in which the welfare of farm animals appears to be at risk.