§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has 417W had with European Union farm ministers about (a) the treatment of pigs during farming and (b) the production methods of pig farming; and if he will make a statement. [69506]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 8 February 1999]: No negotiations have taken place on these matters in the Council of Ministers, because the European Commission has not yet brought forward its overdue proposals to update EU welfare standards for pigs. We will continue to press for proposals, which must at least meet the standards currently applying to the UK, to come forward as soon as possible.