§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proposals he has made for improvement in fur farming husbandry to the Council of Europe; and what recommendations he has made relating to an increase in the present minimum cage dimensions; [12769]
(2) if, in the current discussions at the Council of Europe on fur farming, he will ensure that only housing systems which meet the biological needs of mink, pine martens and arctic foxes, with particular reference to the provision of (a) a stimulating environment, (b) social contact and (c) swimming water, will meet the statutory minimum standards; and if he will ensure that a timetable will be laid down for the phasing out of all housing for these animals which does not meet such standards. [12770]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 27 October 1997]: The Standing Committee of the European Convention on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes is reviewing its 1991 recommendation on the welfare of animals farmed for fur. The text currently under discussion proposes detailed requirements for the welfare of mink, polecat, silver and Arctic fox, coypu and chinchilla. We shall be working to ensure that the outcome of this exercise is the adoption of the highest possible standards consistent with the scientific evidence and expert opinion.
We would support a timetable for the phasing out of all housing for these animals that does not meet the standards adopted by the Council of Europe.