§ 29. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has already taken to improve animal welfare; what further steps he is considering; and if he will make a statement. [17574]
§ Mrs. BrowningMy right hon. and learned Friend has secured agreement in the Council of Ministers to measures which will result in a significant improvement in the welfare of calves. The use of the close confinement veal crate, already banned in the UK, will be phased out across Europe by 2006. Other changes, including a ban on unacceptable diets, will come into effect from 1 January next year. We have also been preparing national implementing measures which will give effect to improved EU rules on welfare in transit. We will work hard to ensure that other member states implement and enforce these rules too.
We will continue to press for improved measures to protect the welfare of laying hens and, at the intergovernmental conference, for the adoption of a protocol endorsing the Community's role in the protection of animal welfare.