§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will use the period of the United Kingdom's presidency of the EC to persuade his European counterparts to introduce measures for a European-wide phase-out of the battery cage.
§ Mr. SoamesThe EC Commission is to propose later this year revised welfare standards for laying hens in battery cages together with new welfare standards for alternative systems. The Government believe that the current Community standards for battery cages are inadequate and we will be pressing for the best possible welfare standards whatever the system of husbandry.