HC Deb 27 January 1987 vol 109 cc233-4W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list by title, start date and amount, the funding of agricultural research projects involving (a) minor and (b) major aspects of animal welfare in each of the past five years.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The information which is readily available has been placed in the Library of the House. It covers the three years 1983–84 to 1985–86 and gives details of work with animal welfare implications as reported to the Farm Animal Welfare Council by the Agriculture Departments and the Agricultural and Food

Research Council. The projects have been annotated to show whether animal welfare was a primary or secondary objective of the study. More detailed information extending over a longer time scale could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list in the Official Report, by title and subject, those recommended revised welfare codes and reports from the Farm Animal Welfare Council, and the dates on which they were submitted to Ministers, which still await ministerial decision; and when decisions upon them are likely to be made.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Ministers have yet to take decisions on the implementation of the following reports and proposals for codes from the Farm Animal Welfare Council:

  • —Welfare of farmed deer (submitted January 1985). The Government's proposals for implementation are expected to be circulated to interested parties shortly.
  • —Welfare of livestock when slaughtered by religious methods (July 1985). Discussions are still taking place with interested organisations.
  • —Welfare of livestock at markets (May 1986). Proposals should be issued within the next few months.
  • —Interim statement on regulations (November 1986). Interested organisations have been asked for comments by 31 January.
  • —Revised welfare codes for turkeys and domestic fowls as well as new codes for ducks and rabbits and the disposal of day-old chicks (June 1982-November 1986). These codes will be laid before Parliament together very shortly.

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