PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Dairy Farming: Animal Feed (16 November 2016)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of zero-grazing on the welfare of dairy cows; and what steps she is taking to discourage zero-grazing in the dairy sector.

Asked by:
Helen Hayes (Labour)

The Department has not made a direct comparative assessment of the animal welfare, environmental and human health benefits of grass-fed against grain-fed diets, although we are aware of various research reports and industry initiatives which support the view that grass feeding can have benefits for animal welfare and the environment, and play a part in determining meat quality.

Answered by:
George Eustice (Conservative)
24 November 2016