Intensive factory farming

That this House notes that intensive farming methods inflict terrible suffering on some one billion land animals in the UK each year; recognises that intensive factory farming methods include the extreme confinement of pregnant sows in farrowing crates, the overcrowding and selective breeding of broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys, the routine mutilation of egg-laying hens and piglets, and the zero grazing of dairy cows; further notes that factory farms often provide a fertile environment for the amplification and transmission of viruses and bacteria between different species and humans; further recognises that today three in four of the world's new or emerging infectious diseases reportedly come from animals; notes that the overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming is contributing to the rise and spread of antimicrobial resistance; notes that a poll in January this year revealed some 90 percent of UK residents want the Government to introduce an immediate ban on intensive farming methods; supports vegan charity Viva’s request for Defra and Government to listen to the UK public on this issue.