§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she made to the European Union prior to its passing of the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive. [48956]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 15 April 2002]: Ministers were directly involved when the proposal was discussed at the Council of Agriculture Ministers and UK officials were fully involved in the negotiations on the Directive.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on the cost of egg production in cage-based systems of implementation of Directive 1999/74/EC on the Welfare of Laying Hens; and if she will estimate the change in cost expected in the cage-based system following implementation of Directive 1999/74/EC. [46392]
§ Mr. MorleyA regulatory impact assessment has been produced, following public consultation. It will be published to accompany the Statutory Instrument to implement the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage producers to move laying hens out of small cages before the final phase-out date of 2012; and if she will make a statement on her policy in respect of the keeping of birds in modified cages in the long-term. [49280]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 15 April 2002]: It is intended that Council Directive 99/74/EC will be implemented in England without being added to in any way. If further changes are proposed, there will be full public consultation.