§ Mr. RobathanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy on the proposed EU update to Directive 88/166/EEC regarding the welfare of hens. [43886]
§ Mr. MorleyWe are pleased that the Commission has now submitted to the Council of Ministers its proposals to set improved welfare standards for laying hens in cages and to introduce standards for alternative systems. The proposals will require thorough technical discussion, which we have already set going under our Presidency. Our aim is to secure a measure which significantly raises minimum welfare standards for laying hens throughout the European Union and leads to a phase-out of the battery cage.
§ Mr. RobathanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current welfare requirements for free range hens. [43728]
§ Mr. MorleyThe welfare of laying hens in free range systems is covered by a Welfare Code made under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968. We74W would like in addition to see firm statutory requirements adopted at the EU level on the welfare of hens in alternative systems: we will be working to secure such requirements in the EU negotiation which is now under way on the Commission's recent proposals in this area.