§ Mr. Cohenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a summary of the effects of his Department's 1983 welfare code for cattle on the use of the veal crate; how many crates are in use in each year since 1982, and currently; whether he has any proposals to prohibit the use of this crate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe veal crate system does not comply with important provisions on space allowances and diet in the welfare code for cattle. We believe that the existence of the code has discouraged the use of veal crates, but we do not have detailed statistics on the number of individual crates. At present we understand that there are eight holdings operating this system. However there appears to be no sign that the code will eliminate the use of crates altogether and the Government has therefore decided to bring forward legislation to phase them out. My Department will ensure that interested organisations are fully consulted about this before the end of the year.
§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to phase out the use of the veal crate system.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonYes. The use of veal crates is incompatible with the welfare code for cattle and, although the existence of the code has discouraged their use, there appears to be no sign that the code alone will bring it to an end. The Government have therefore decided to bring forward legislation to phase out veal crates, and my Department will consult interested organisations fully before the end of the year.