To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has made to European Community institutions seeking the abolition of the veal crate.

In negotiations leading to the recently adopted directive on the welfare of calves, the United Kingdom pressed most strongly for a European ban on veal crates. However, this was unacceptable to some member states and the directive, adopted by majority vote, does not impose a ban. The United Kingdom was the only member state to vote against the proposal.