---

Agricultural Policy

I agree with my hon. Friend. He puts the point eloquently and forcefully. The abolition of non-enriched battery cages in the EU was, in large part, down to the push from UK consumers who were concerned about the welfare standards of hens. It is a credit to our egg farmers that they have invested millions in the change. It is only right that they should reap the rewards, especially when other EU countries have failed to invest and are still housing hens in old-style, non-enriched, battery cages. Despite promising repeatedly before and after the general election to legislate for a UK ban on non-enriched eggs, the Minister with responsibility for farming says that that is now not possible, disappointing farmers and consumers alike. The best he can offer is border checks on eggs as they enter the country. Knowing this Government’s dismal record on waving people through immigration checks, the Welsh public and farmers are right to be suspicious of the effectiveness of border checks on eggs. That is why my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore, the shadow Farming Minister, is supporting egg producers and the food manufacturing industry in identifying the good eggs and bad eggs in the industry. [ Laughter. ] I am just trying to cheer you up, Mr Havard. Along with the Farmers Union of Wales, we are extremely disappointed with the Government’s decision to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board. I hope that the Secretary of State and the Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who has helpfully stayed on after questions, for which I thank him—