§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measure he intends to take to improve animal welfare in the European Union under the British presidency. [26012]
§ Mr. MorleyImproving farm animal welfare is a priority for our presidency. We have already restarted negotiations on proposals for a general Directive concerning welfare of livestock on farms, stalled since 1994. We have also obtained an undertaking from Commissioner Fischler that he will urgently bring the long overdue proposals to update the EU rules on the welfare of laying hens and the welfare of animals at slaughter. We intend to start negotiations on these two proposals as soon as possible.