Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Including the term "code of practice" here is to allow a farmer to have a defence if they are accused of doing something that is unnecessarily cruel or whatever. If they can show that their farming practice is consistent with the code of practice that has been agreed, it could be an argument in their defence. Rather than it being a problem, the opposite might well be the case. As I have said repeatedly, before we propose any new codes of practice or conduct regarding animal welfare we will have quite broad consultation. I have consultation on a regular basis with the farming organisations on a series of matters and this would not be any different.