§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to improve the welfare of farm animals. [12615]
§ 25. Mr. Alan JohnsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has put in place recently to improve the welfare of farm animals. [12634]
§ Mr. MorleyNew EU rules on transport were implemented only five weeks after the General Election. We are consulting about new regulations on the welfare of calves and we are reviewing pre-export procedures for animals intended for further fattening or slaughter. The agreement we secured at Amsterdam for a new EU Treaty protocol on animal welfare has given a firm basis from which we can seek real improvements to EU welfare standards both during our forthcoming Presidency and beyond. This is only the beginning: a number of further initiatives are planned.