§ Mr. DavidTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to improve the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses. [158641]
§ Mr. BradshawThere are extensive provisions in the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 designed to protect the welfare of animals both immediately before, and during, the slaughter process. In addition the Farm Animal Welfare Council published a report in 2003 on the welfare of red meat animals at slaughter. The report included 94 recommendations for improving animal welfare. The Government will be issuing shortly for public consultation their draft response to these recommendations.
§ Mr. DavidTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to make compulsory the stunning of animals before religious slaughter. [158640]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Government's draft response to the recommendations in the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on the welfare of red meat animals at slaughter, including the recommendation that all animals should be stunned prior to slaughter, will be issued for public consultation shortly.