§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times fur factory farms have been visited so far this year, by county, by officials from the State Veterinary Service. [43709]
§ Mr. MorleyVeterinary Officers of the State Veterinary Service (SVS) have made five welfare inspection visits to fur farms so far this year—four in Lancashire and one in Hampshire. In addition, licensed fur farms are visited twice a year by officials from the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency to ensure compliance with the security requirements of the Mink Keeping Regulations 1976. The current fee for a licence is£630.