§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to assist pig producers in the United Kingdom between now and 1 January 1999 when new unilateral rule changes on sow stall and tether regulations take effect.
§ Mrs. BrowningThis Department has contributed to the work of the pig welfare advisory group and financed the publication of a series of nine booklets on alternative systems of pig husbandry. These have been used at associated workshops run by ADAS. The Government also fund a programme of research into alternative systems.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the additional financial cost to United Kingdom pig producers of the unilateral rule changes on sow stall and tether regulations to be introduced on 1 January 1999; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. BrowningThe total cost to producers in Great Britain of complying with the phasing out of tethers and close confinement systems for sows has been estimated at £9 million. Further details are given in the compliance cost assessment, prepared for the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House. The total cost to producers in Northern Ireland is estimated at £0.5 million.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to make the proposed United Kingdom changes in rules on sow stall and tether regulations applicable throughout the European Union.
§ Mrs. BrowningEC Directive 91/630 requires the European Commission to report, by 1 October 1997, on the welfare of pigs in different types of intensive system and to submit appropriate proposals to the Council. The United Kingdom will be pressing for this review to be undertaken at the earliest opportunity and for our own high standards to be adopted throughout the European Union.