HC Deb 22 October 2002 vol 391 cc174-5W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the role small free range poultry units can play in reviving the agricultural sector; and if she will make a statement. [72518]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 24 July 2002]: DEFRA recognises the importance of free range egg systems in terms of consumer choice, but we have made no specific assessment of the role of small free range poultry units in reviving the agriculture sector as a whole. Individual producers will need to make decisions based on their own individual circumstances.