---

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on planned legislation at European Communities level on animal protection; what target groups will be approached by Eurobarometer surveys established in preparation of such legislation under Commission decision 2004/920/EC of 27 December 2004; what the total cost of pre-legislation surveys in this competence will be; and what the role is of Eurobarometer surveys in the legislative process. [215240] Mr. Bradshaw: The European Commission is expected shortly to publish proposals for a directive on the welfare of meat chickens. Detailed negotiations on the directive are likely to take place in the second half of this year, in the UK's presidency. Commission Decision 2004/921/EC allocates a maximum of è200,000 for a Eurobarometer survey on consumer attitudes towards the welfare of farmed animals. The study will not be targeted at specific groups but will focus on attitudes of the general public across the EU to farm animal welfare issues. The Commission has not published proposals for further surveys at this time. When preparing proposals for future legislation, the Commission will take into account scientific, veterinary and socio-economic evidence.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

430 c1652W; 215240

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Animal welfare Animals Costs Farms EU action EU grants and loans Poultry Public opinion Surveys

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk