§ 12. Mr. Bob Dunnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Denmark has any implications for United Kingdom imports of pig products.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerDenmark's trade in fresh and frozen pigmeat with non-European Community countries has been disrupted. Arrangements have been made by the European Community to support the market. So far no large-scale diversions of Danish supplies to the United Kingdom market seem to have occurred. We are keeping a close watch on the situation.
§ Mr. DunnAs the import ban imposed by certain countries outside the EEC on fresh pigmeat from Denmark is having severe repercussions on the United Kingdom pigmeat sector, will the Minister press the Commission to introduce public intervention in Denmark to take the surplus off the market?
§ Mr. WalkerWe have carefully monitored the situation, virtually day by day, and, as I stated in my reply, there has as yet been no large-scale diversion of Danish supplies to the United Kingdom market. We have also, in agreement with the Danish Government and with the Commission, supported every measure that the Danish Government have wished to take in order to see that this does not result in a glut of pigmeat destroying the United Kingdom market. The collaboration between the Danish Government, the Commission and ourselves is working well, and I hope that it will continue to do so.