Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any recent steps taken to improve the (i) health; and (ii) welfare, of farmed animals.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: My Department is progressing measures to improve farmed animal health including actions to tackle bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) through enhanced testing, vet-led on-farm biosecurity advice and consultation on possible wildlife intervention options. This is in addition to the implementation of herd level restrictions to tackle Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), ongoing Bluetongue Virus (BTV) surveillance and continued UK and Ireland cooperation on epizootic disease risks.
Regarding farmed animal welfare, my Department has introduced legislation requiring closed-circuit television in all slaughterhouses to support oversight, monitoring and enforcement. It has also contributed to UK-wide consultations on ending cages for laying hens and alternative methods of lamb castration and tail docking. Additionally, officials continue to monitor European Union proposals on animal welfare during transport and assess any implications for Northern Ireland.
ENDS
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