MP BACKS FARM ANIMAL WELFARE CAMPAIGN

4.48.22pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th Apr 2008

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has backed an all-party campaign in Westminster designed to improve standards of farm animal welfare by raising the bar for food procurement for the public sector, including schools, hospitals, prisons, the armed forces and staff canteens.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"The public sector could have a big influence on the raising of farm animal welfare standards by insisting on the supply of meat and eggs produced less intensively.

"Most of the pig meat procured for the public sector has been industrially reared, and most eggs are from battery hens.

"Setting the bar higher for the public sector could have a real influence on the market and result in even higher welfare standards being adopted by many more British farmers."