§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the need for legislation to protect broiler chickens; and if he will make a statement. [8657]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government intends to ensure that the broiler industry works to high welfare standards. Work on a new welfare code is already in hand. I have received various representations that there is a case for further legislation and will consider this in the light of developments here and in Europe.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of broiler chickens which suffer from(a) leg disorders and (b) heart disease because of rapid body growth. [8658]
§ Mr. Morley(a) It is not possible to give a simple estimate of the number of broiler chickens which suffer from leg disorders. Those that occur may be the result of one, or a combination of, a number of different factors. The severity of the effect on individual birds will also be subject to variation.
(b) I know of no scientific data which allows for conclusions to be drawn on any direct relationship between rate of growth and the incidence of heart disease in broiler chickens.