§ 8. Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Mon)What discussions he has had with the European Commission concerning lifting the ban on the export of beef. [45906]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Win Griffiths)I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson).
§ Mr. JonesThe Minister will be aware that the Standing Veterinary Committee of the European 1040 Commission will be considering the date-based scheme on 9 July. What actions are Welsh Office Ministers taking to ensure that we will not this time have the sort of problems that we had over the lifting of the export ban for Northern Ireland, and that the committee will consider the case on its merits, not according to the political considerations of other member states?
§ Mr. GriffithsWe are doing everything possible in the Welsh Office-with Ministers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food-to ensure that, when the committee considers those proposals in July, it will accept them. That is what we have been wanting to achieve, to get rid of the damning and damaging legacy of the previous Government.
§ Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire)The European beef ban has provoked an unprecedented and hideous crisis in the Welsh livestock industry. The Welsh Affairs Committee reported a month ago, in May. When will the Government take action on the recommendations in its report?
§ Mr. GriffithsGiven that the Conservative Government studiously refused to take action on the crisis over 10 years, it is a bit rich for the hon. Gentleman to complain about the fact that we in the Welsh Office are carefully considering the Select Committee's recommendations, so that, when we respond, we shall have a positive message to put across to farmers in Wales-farmers will welcome that, as they did not have it for a decade or more from the Conservative Government.