HC Deb 25 November 1985 vol 87 cc364-5W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the space which battery hens would require to have to ruffle their feathers, to stretch their bodies, to stretch their wings and to turn around, respectively.

Mrs. Fenner

I have made no estimates and I am not aware that conclusive scientific advice is available.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current minimum space provided under current regulations for hens in battery cages.

Mrs. Fenner

There are no United Kingdom statutory minimum space allowances for hens in battery cages. However, the current welfare code for domestic fowls recommends allowances based on birds' body weight.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what progress was made in the discussions in the Council of Ministers on 18 and 19 November on Common Market regulations on the minimum space for hens in battery cages; what proposal for such minimum space was presented by the European Economic Community Commission; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will take steps to increase the minimum space available to hens in battery cages; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Fenner

No decisions were taken at the last Council meeting and this topic will be re-examined at the December Council. We shall continue to press for the early adoption of a directive laying down minimum welfare standards for laying hens in battery cages. The proposed directive would deal with space allowances, cage height and floor slope, feed trough lengths, enforcement measures and husbandry provisions. (The present focus of discussions is a minimum space allowance of 450 sq cm per bird, based on earlier assessments made by the Commission.) We believe that a Community-wide approach is the right one.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of hens in battery cages in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Fenner

We estimate that there are 47 to 48 million.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ban the import of eggs from European Economic Community nations which have lower spaces for the containment of hens in battery cages than the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Fenner

I have no such plans and am seeking a Community agreement. Such import restrictions would be incompatible with the treaty.