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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made on implementation of point 7, on constantly improving standards of animal health and welfare, in the dairy industry growth plan, Leading the Way, published in June 2014.

The Government is committed to championing a thriving, sustainable British food and farming sector and to promote high standards of animal welfare. The UK’s animal welfare and environmental standards are among the highest in the world and we will continue to promote this across all sectors.

We have worked closely with the dairy industry to produce the ‘Leading the Way’ Growth Plan. The Plan sets out a clear vision for the dairy industry, including improving standards and safeguarding the health and welfare of dairy cows. The industry is now taking this forward. The industry steering group set up to oversee progress on the Growth Plan will provide regular updates on progress via the Dairy Supply Chain Forum.