Animal Welfare Bill

I shall also read carefully what I said. It was my intention to refer with particular regard to appropriateness in the area of consultation. It is extremely important that we do not fetter those producing codes by saying that they have to consult everyone who could be deemed to have an interest, but that they should carry out appropriate consultation. Further, I did refer to Amendment No. 81 regarding the issue concerning Wales and the need to be careful when looking at that. The 40-day period refers to all codes, and the codes in hand at the moment are for dogs and for primates. I can confirm that there are now common commencement dates for regulations and it is likely that we shall observe these for the codes as well. In addition, there are codes of which the noble Baroness will be particularly aware: those to do with the welfare of farm animals. I hope that I have answered all the points raised by the noble Baroness, but if any have been missed I shall of course write to her. Turning to the point made about game birds—again I shall correct what I am about to say if I am wrong—I understand that it is the sort of area where we will work with those involved in the activity. I sought to draw a distinction between the activity and ownership. The activity-based and species-based codes would be slightly different and I am sure that it would be our intention to consult all those concerned, but noble Lords, including those personally involved in the process of rearing game birds, asked about some forms of practice held not to be good by those upholding professional high standards.