§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions have been brought against United Kingdom egg producers for being in contravention of legislation for the welfare of laying hens; and how many prosecutions there have been in other European Union countries in each of the last three years. [96753]
§ Mr. MorleyThe number of prosecutions of UK egg producers brought by UK Agriculture Departments for offences in breach of animal welfare legislation in each of the last three years was two in 1996, four in 1997 and nil in 1998. Records of prosecutions taken by other bodies such as local authorities and the RSPCA are not kept centrally. Requests or information concerning prosecutions in other EU countries should be addressed to the individual member states.