§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 2000,Official Report, columns 373–74W, on animal welfare, if he will make a statement on the work of the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Welfare and its progress in meeting its objectives. [140795]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 29 November 2000]: The Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Welfare met formally for the first time on 20 July this year. Ministers with animal welfare responsibilities from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Home Office and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, and officials from the other devolved Administrations discussed and agreed the terms of reference of the Group. They also discussed matters of current interest to each Department, as well as a number of cross-cutting issues. Members of the Group issued a joint statement (MAFF News Release 243/00), highlighting their aim of ensuring that the UK's animal welfare strategy is effectively co-ordinated. The next meeting of the group will take place in the early part of next year.