HC Deb 31 January 1997 vol 289 cc404-5W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recommendations his Department issues to people farming ostriches; and if he will make a statement. [13622]

Mrs. Browning

The welfare of farmed ostriches is protected by legislation. This is supplemented by guidelines issued by the Farm Animal Welfare Council. We are, in addition, working with colleagues in the Council of Europe on a recommendation to the welfare of farmed ratites—ostrich, emu and rhea—which we hope will be adopted later this year.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of ostrich farms in operation in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [13621]

Mrs. Browning

None. Information on ostrich farms is not collected centrally.