Q1. What would a successful animal welfare policy deliver? What should its key elements be?

Q2. What are your views on current policies in respect of animal welfare?

Q3. The UK has high standards of animal welfare compared with many developing countries producing cheap food with which our farmers and producers have to compete. Do you think that this is a reason not to require higher standards of animal welfare in this country? Or do you agree that higher standards of animal welfare are desirable?

Q4. If so, what improvements would you like to see:

• in the UK?
• in Europe?
• globally?

Q5. How do you think a level playing field could be achieved internationally so that the UK can continue to compete and seek higher standards of animal welfare?

Q6. Does the UK have a strong enough voice in European and wider international policy fora? Do you think the UK Government should take a lead in animal welfare internationally?

Q7. Do you think the current regulatory structures for animal welfare are fit for purpose? Are sufficient resources being applied?

Q8. Some would argue that there is already a considerable amount of UK legislation for the protection of animal welfare, increasingly based on European directives and regulations. Do you see the need for more law, or better law? If so, what would you like to see changed?

Q9. What do you think of standards of compliance with existing laws? Do you think there should be stronger enforcement of legislation for the protection of animal welfare? If so, where do you think the weaknesses lie? Are there other, non-punitive measures or incentives that might be more effective in encouraging compliance?

Q10. Do you think farm assurance schemes might have a stronger role to play in driving higher standards? Could compliance with schemes that demand high standards of animal welfare as well as hygienic food production, and audit such standards rigorously, become a satisfactory substitute for state regulation and inspection?

Q11. There is a noticeable recent trend amongst consumers towards seeking better quality food produced locally by small producers, from healthy animals reared in good conditions, and sold through local outlets such as farmers' markets. Larger retailers are also becoming aware of a growing demand for organically or less intensively farmed meat and produce to which they need to respond. Are there ways in which such trends could be encouraged amongst:

• farmers
• producers
• transporters
• retailers
• consumers

that might generally benefit the rural economy? What would you like to see happen?

Q12. What do you think would be the costs and benefits of further improvements in animal welfare? Can you provide examples?

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