FARROWING CRATES

Early day motion 1153, tabled 10 May 2004 by Alan Meale (Labour). Signed by 59 members.

That this House expresses its concern about the continued use of farrowing crates for the nursing of pregnant sows in the UK; is alarmed that current legislation still allows such medieval practices for farm livestock, which imprisons pigs for up to 28 days when they give birth, restricting their body movements and strong maternal instincts and thus causing such animals unnecessary stress and pain; and calls upon the Government to end such barbaric cruelty forthwith.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 4.