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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ban the (a) expansion of existing and (b) building of new industrial livestock farms.

The Government promotes efficient, competitive farming, but does not seek to favour large, or small-scale, farming operations. Farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable UK agriculture.

All farms must comply with comprehensive UK law on planning, animal health and welfare, veterinary medicines and environmental legislation.

Planning authorities should determine applications for livestock buildings in accordance with their development plan or the National Planning Policy Framework.