§ Mr. Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the provisions in the Hunting Bill of Session 2002–03 on disposal by farmers of dead animals. [143554]
§ Alun Michael:The Animal By-Products Regulations 2003 permit hunt kennels to continue collecting fallen stock; however, they will be required to upgrade to knackers' yard standards if they wish to collect fallen stock for the purposes of feeding to hounds. The effect of a ban on hunting would depend on decisions made by those who currently offer a service and on choices made by farmers leading to take-up of the National Fallen Stock Scheme which the Government hope will be up and running early in 2004. Most hunts already make a charge and there is no reason why such a service should not continue as a business opportunity irrespective of the future of hunting.