HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 cc1106-7
2. Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the tonnage of veal imported into Britain from Holland since 1994. [11266]

The Minister for Food (Mrs. Angela Browning)

This information has not been collated centrally since 1992, but it is estimated that the United Kingdom imported approximately 1,700 tonnes of veal in 1994, with Holland as the main supplier.

Mr. Callaghan

I thank the Minister for that reply. Will she consider consulting those who work in the veal industry in Britain—the producers and the caterers—in the hope that we can stimulate home consumption of veal and therefore stop the import and export of veal calves in veal crates?

Mrs. Browning

Indeed, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that much work has been carried out in that respect, certainly in the past year. The average consumption of veal is approximately 2 oz per person per year. However, most of it is consumed in the catering industry. I am sure that that is what most concerns the hon. Gentleman. I have been working closely with the Meat and Livestock Commission, and I was pleased to write the foreword to a booklet for the catering industry showing new cuts and recipes for the use of veal in catering.

Mr. Garnier

Does my hon. Friend agree that one way to deal with the fears of the hon. Member for Heywood and Middleton (Mr. Callaghan) is to persuade local education authorities—particularly those run by the Labour and Liberal parties—not to ban beef and beef products in schools?

Mrs. Browning

Indeed; I wrote to all LEAs and those involved in the school meals service just before Christmas. I am pleased that county councils such as Dorset, which took rapid and ill-informed decisions, have now changed their minds. If Members have concerns on the subject and would like me to provide any more information to LEAs and the school meals service, I should be happy to do so.

Mr. Morley

I am sure that the Minister agrees that the importation of such a large amount of veal into Britain is not good for our balance of trade. It is also intolerable that imported veal is produced in veal crates, which are banned in Britain on the ground of cruelty. In that respect, does she agree that the redesignation of animals as sentient beings rather than as agricultural products would help to speed up the end of that system in Europe? I appreciate that she told me in a recent reply that the Government were considering that proposal, but is she aware that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food rubbished the principle at a recent meeting? Does she agree that it is worthy of support and will she support it—yes or no?

Mrs. Browning

The hon. Gentleman should take the answer that he received from me as it was written. My right hon. and learned Friend is examining the matter, and we shall give it serious consideration.

Mr. Hawkins

Does my hon. Friend agree that the deeply irresponsible policy that has been set out from the Opposition Front Bench may not be unconnected with the fact that the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) receives no less than £15,000 per annum from an animal rights group?

Mrs. Browning

The definition of sentient beings is somewhat different from the main thrust of the remarks of the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley). We are aware that, along with other Labour Members, he has attached his name to early-day motions which call for the banning of the export of live animals. That position is not shared by all members of the Opposition Front Bench. There is a division, I think.