Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to encourage the growth of free range dairy herds.

Preferences for animal products from different production systems are driven by consumer demand. Our UK farming industry produces animal products under a range of different production systems, benefitting consumers who have access to a diverse choice of products from a range of different systems, including free range. The UK has some of the highest animal health and welfare standards in the world. Regardless of production method, all operational livestock farms must comply with comprehensive animal health, welfare and environmental legislation. Stockmanship and the correct application of husbandry standards whatever the system of production, is key to ensuring good welfare for all farmed animals. Our new system of agricultural support will support high welfare methods of production.