Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how effectively livestock projects funded by the International Finance Corporation implement the good management practices set out in its Good Practice Note on Improving Animal Welfare in Livestock Operations, published December 2014.

The Government works internationally to promote high standards of animal welfare and recognition of the overlap between animal welfare, animal health and sustainability.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has rigorous and internationally recognised standards which align to those of other jurisdictions such as the EU. The IFC assesses potential industrial livestock projects which it supports against these standards as part of its due diligence processes.

The UK will continue to engage with IFC to ensure it applies its Performance Standards to all investments, including related to livestock production, and where appropriate, provides guidance and support to clients to achieve these.