§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of pig farmers in England and Wales are estimated still to employ dry sow stalls and tether stalls; how this proportion compares with 10 years ago; and what action he proposes to ensure the phasing-out of such stalls.
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§ Mr. Donald ThompsonIt is estimated that approximately half the pig farmers in England and Wales still use dry sow stalls or tether stalls. No accurate information is available on the position 10 years ago, but it is believed that the proportion of farmers using such systems has declined. The Farm Animal Welfare Council has recently completed a review of pig production systems, which makes a number of recommendations to ensure that future trends in housing the dry sow are away from the use of stalls and tethers. We are currently consulting interested parties on that report and no decision will be taken until their comments have been fully considered.