Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals for a hazard inspection regime to minimise the risk of farm fires and unnecessary farm animal deaths.
Answered by George Eustice
All livestock farms need to have an on-farm health and welfare plan drawn up in conjunction with their veterinary surgeon which include contingency plans to deal with emergency situations, such as fire, floods or disruption of supplies. Defra’s species specific Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock, which all stock keepers have to have access to and knowledge of, sets out advice on making emergency precautions.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out welfare inspections on farms to check that the UK legislation and Defra’s welfare codes are being followed.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the protection of farm animals and livestock sheds located on flood plains.
Answered by George Eustice
All livestock farms need to have an on-farm health and welfare plan drawn up in conjunction with their veterinary surgeon which include contingency plans to deal with emergency situations, such as fire, floods or disruption of supplies. Defra’s species specific Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock, which all stock keepers have to have access to and knowledge of, sets out advice on making emergency precautions.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out welfare inspections on farms to check that the UK legislation and Defra’s welfare codes are being followed.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department's review of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulation planned for 2015 will take place before the General Election.
Answered by George Eustice
The Welfare of Greyhound Regulations 2010 are set for review five years after they were made in April 2010. Defra is beginning the review now by gathering evidence on the operation of the regulations with a view to completing the review after the General Election in May 2015.
Asked by: Chris Williamson (Independent - Derby North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of changes to safety requirements for the 2014 badger cull on the safety of that cull.
Answered by George Eustice
The Independent Expert Panel concluded that they were confident that controlled shooting can be carried out safely, even in the context of protester activity. As with the first year of the culls, Best Practice Guidance for the controlled shooting of badgers is in place and compliance with this will be monitored by Natural England.