HC Deb 08 April 1998 vol 310 cc337-8
2. Mr. David Chaytor (Bury, North)

What progress is being made in lifting the ban on beef exports from Northern Ireland. [36890]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Tony Worthington)

The Government are pleased that the proposals for an export certified herd scheme were accepted by a qualified majority at the Agriculture Council on 16 March. The next step in restoring exports of beef from Northern Ireland is for European Commission officials to carry out an inspection in Northern Ireland of all aspects of the ECHS. That inspection is likely to take place in the week commencing 20 April, when I expect that we shall be given a clean bill of health. The Commission will then set a date for the resumption of exports of Northern Ireland beef. While I recognise that market conditions are difficult, I am confident that the Northern Ireland industry can cope with the challenges on the basis of quality and reputation.

Mr. Chaytor

I thank the Minister for that reply. Can he give the House an indication of when the ban might be lifted and what assessment he has made of the impact of lifting the ban on the wider economy of Northern Ireland?

Mr. Worthington

To take the second point first, the beef industry and agriculture in general are hugely important within Northern Ireland. When we succeed in getting the ban lifted and exports flow again, it will give a remarkable and welcome boost to the economy of Northern Ireland. I cannot give a definitive time scale for the lifting of the ban, which will depend on the European Union inspection of our procedures for the export certified herd scheme. We hope that the report of the visit will be submitted soon after the inspection, and it is conceivable—I only say conceivable—that exports could resume by mid-May.

Mr. William Thompson (West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for indicating that the ban will, hopefully, be lifted in a short time. Does he realise that a large marketing effort will be needed to gain back the exports that we have lost, which will require considerable expense? Is the Department prepared to help to get those markets back by putting money into marketing? Furthermore, as a result of the ban being lifted, there will be more flagged herds, which means that farmers who have such herds will be at a greater loss. Will the Department help in those two difficult areas by putting in more money?

Mr. Worthington

The hon. Gentleman's points were well made. We realise the significance of the issue to agribusiness in Northern Ireland, which is responsible for 60,000 jobs. I can assure him that both the International Development Board and the Local Enterprise Development Unit will do all they can to assist with the whole initiative we need to take to restore markets for Northern Ireland beef.

Mr. James Cran (Beverley and Holderness)

The Opposition obviously welcome what the Minister has said, but can he say more about procedures after the inspection? In other words, is the Standing Veterinary Committee to be consulted? If that is the case, he will obviously know that the industry will be disappointed because it will clearly result in more delay. Does he further agree that this is not the end of the problem? Let us consider prices. In Holland, a kilo of beef sold for 220p in 1996, whereas it now sells for 150p. That is good for sales, but bad for profitability. What is the Minister going to do about it?

Mr. Worthington

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. After the catastrophe caused by BSE in the British beef industry—a catastrophe that could have been avoided—a long, slow, hard and determined effort will be needed to win back business. As for the procedure, we are talking about European Union officials and they will report back to the Commission, which will then decide when the ban is to be lifted. If the hon. Gentleman would like me to write to him about the specific details and procedures, I shall be only too pleased to do so.