§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the requirements of the Council of Europe convention No. 87 on the housing of pigs in stalls or cages; and if he has any proposals to reduce the incidence or to ban the use of such stalls or cages for pigs.
§ Mrs. FennerAmongst other provisions, the Council of Europe convention No. 87 provides that where animals are continously confined they should be given the space appropriate to their physiological and ethological needs in accordance with established experience and scientific knowledge. The Government's code of recommendations for the welfare of pigs strongly recommends the use of alternatives to cages and stalls, and I have no further plans to ban or restrict their use.