§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many ostriches were slaughtered in Britain in each year since 1991 for meat or plumage; how many of these were reared from eggs in Britain and how many were imported; and if he will make a statement on the welfare of farmed ostriches. [18614]
§ Mrs. BrowningThere is no commercial slaughter industry for ostriches at present in Great Britain, and the breeding population is still being established. Some small numbers will have been killed on farms since 1991, but no figures are available. The welfare of ostriches is protected on the farm by the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 and regulations made under that Act, and by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; in transit by the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994, as amended, and by standards set by the International Air Transport Association; and at slaughter by the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 which came into operation on 1 April 1995. Guidelines on the welfare of farmed ostriches, prepared by the Farm Animal Welfare Council, were issued in February 1994. In addition, the Council of Europe is currently drawing up a recommendation on the welfare of ostriches and other ratites.