Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Elmore Excerpts
Thursday 7th December 2017

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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My hon. Friend makes a very acute point. It is in the nature of single market rules and the European Union that some animal husbandry practices, which we would not tolerate in this country, apply to things that we sometimes import. We must consider how we can improve animal welfare standards all round.

Chris Elmore Portrait Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)
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Will the Secretary of State set out what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government about moving forward on animal welfare once we leave the EU, regarding both that Government’s responsibilities and the responsibilities that will come back from Europe to the Secretary of State?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I commend Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh Labour Minister who is responsible for this area in the Welsh Assembly Government, for the constructive way in which she has engaged with DEFRA over the past six months. I hope to see her next week to carry forward discussions on this and other areas.