Vol. 523 No. 1
420 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason he refuses to meet a delegation from Compassion in World Farming; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20606/00]
While it has not so far been possible for me to meet personally with representatives of Compassion in World Farming – CIWF – I have made available officials of my Department to meet with the organisation in question. As recently as 14 September 2000, Department officials met a delegation from CIWF, at which meeting a range of topics suggested by CIWF was discussed.
I should add that CIWF are also in regular correspondence with my Department, which at all times seeks to facilitate their requests for information or clarification on various issues affecting farm animals and to understand their concerns on a range of matters.
