HC Deb 16 March 2004 vol 419 cc156-7W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will undertake a welfare study on deer at the Baronsdown deer sanctuary. [160172]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Department is not intending to undertake a survey on the welfare of wild deer at Baronsdown deer sanctuary

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether any deer carcases from the Baronsdown deer sanctuary, suspected of being infected with bovine tuberculosis, will be disposed of at an appropriate plant under the EU Animal By-Products Regulation. [160173]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 requires, among other things, that wild animals suspected of being infected with diseases communicable to animals and humans, such as bovine TB, are disposed of using one of the following methodsIncineration; Rendering in an approved plant followed by incineration; or Pressure rendering in an approved plant followed by landfill.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to use the proposed Animal Welfare Bill to ban the sale and use of electronic shock collars. [160908]

Mr. Bradshaw

We do not expect the proposed Animal Welfare Bill to set out detail on what equipment may or may not be used on animals. But we anticipate that the Bill will provide powers for the Secretary of State to make regulations or issue codes of practice on such points, in order to improve animal welfare. Whether these powers will be used in respect of electronic dog collars has yet to be decided.