§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he plans to take to ensure farmers provide indoor-housed pigs with at least the space allowances recommended by the European Commission's Scientific Veterinary Committee in its 1997 report on the welfare of intensively kept pigs; and if he will make a statement. [32626]
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§ Mr. MorleyThe EU Scientific Veterinary Committee report is the first stage of the review of Directive 91/630 on the welfare of pigs. We are now awaiting the Commission's proposals, based on the Committee's advice, on how the Directive should be revised. The Committee's recommendations on space allowances, and any Commission proposals, will need careful study and discussion with other Member States, before decisions are taken. We remain committed to working with the industry to improve the welfare of pigs.