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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when they expect the consultation on banning high-concentration carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs to be launched; and what timetable they envisage for the phasing out of this practice.

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, we will consult on banning carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs and on possible timescales for phasing out this method. Further details will be set out soon.