HC Deb 01 July 1999 vol 334 cc264-5W
19. Mr. McDonnell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to improve the welfare of battery hens. [87935]

21. Mr. Pike

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the agreement at the June Agriculture Council concerning phasing out battery hens by 2012. [87939]

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is introducing to phase out the farming of battery hens. [87923]

Mr. Morley

We shall implement the EU Directive which was agreed in Luxembourg on 15 June. This requires all members states to ban the conventional battery cage from 1 January 2012 and to apply improved standards to its use in the meantime.

My right hon. Friend the Minister was delighted to be part of the qualified majority which took this historic decision.

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