Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the extent to which expectant and nursing sows suffer from being kept in farrowing crates; and if he will make a statement. [129032]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 4 July 2000]: This Ministry has funded a considerable amount of research on the behaviour and physiology of sows kept in farrowing crates. Part of this research has been directed towards determining which aspects of confinement in farrowing crates could, potentially, cause frustration in pregnant and lactating sows. We are also funding research to develop and test commercially viable farrowing systems, which encourage freedom of movement for the sow, and provide adequate protection to piglets from crushing by their mother.