Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to oblige farms to put in place contingency and evacuation plans to minimise the risk of farm fires to animals.

All livestock farms need to have an on-farm health and welfare plan drawn up in conjunction with their veterinary surgeon which include contingency plans to deal with emergency situations, such as fire, floods or disruption of supplies. Defra’s species specific Codes of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock, which all stock keepers have to have access to and knowledge of, sets out advice on making emergency precautions.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carries out welfare inspections on farms to check that the UK legislation and Defra’s welfare codes are being followed.