§ Mr. Wareingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the 545W Government's policy on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes in the light of the case of Roberts v. Rugiero, indicating if he plans any changes.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe Government's policy is to encourage farmers to adopt high standards of husbandry through compliance with part I of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 and with regulations and codes of recommendations made under it. We have no plans to change this policy following the private prosecution referred to. However, the Government set up the Farm Animal Welfare Council in 1979 to keep such matters under review, and we will consider introducing further measures where necessary in the light of the Council's advice and the views of interested parties.