Written question asked by Owen Paterson (Conservative) on Monday, 22 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 October 2002. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 October 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will undertake not to make a decision on the future of enriched egg laying cages until after the results of her Department's funded research have been published.

Answer: Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will undertake not to make a decision on the future of enriched egg laying cages until after the results of her Department's funded research have been published. [73121] Mr. Morley: The public consultation exercise, which has now started, on the future of enriched cages, will form part of our evidence gathering process about the welfare benefits of these cages. We will also consider all available scientific evidence. The industry needs to make long term investment decisions.

Secondary information