ANIMAL WELFARE AND THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR ENGLAND 2007-13

Motion Text

That this House notes the current consultation on the draft Rural Development Programme for England (ERDP) 2007-13; is disappointed that the draft ERDP does not make use of the full range of measures to protect and promote animal welfare available under European legislation, including supporting appropriate farm assurance schemes, encouraging higher than minimum animal welfare standards, providing for training and incentivising investments in agricultural holdings; and supports the RSPCA in its call for an imaginative ERDP which provides much greater encouragement for higher animal welfare standards.