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Department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Andrew George

Main Page: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)

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Business of the House
Thursday 9th September 2010

(14 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Paice Portrait Mr Paice
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It is precisely because that was the advice of the Farm Animal Welfare Council, which his Government disregarded.

Andrew George Portrait Andrew George (St Ives) (LD)
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Further to the question asked by the hon. Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), does my hon. Friend agree that, for those people concerned about the issue of beak trimming, the worst possible outcome from an animal welfare point of view would be that we end up with legislation that resulted in exporting animal welfare concerns—and jobs—to other countries? That would surely be a far worse outcome.

James Paice Portrait Mr Paice
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My hon. Friend is entirely right. The sad reality is that chickens will feather-peck and adopt cannibalism in any circumstances, including in large free-range facilities. The challenge with which we have to wrestle is whether or not debeaking is a bigger or lesser welfare issue than the consequences of not debeaking. The Government want to see an end to debeaking and we will achieve that, but we have to ensure that we do not make the situation worse in the process.

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