§ Miss Maynardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the arrangements which replace the United Kingdom's derogations from Community animal health legislation adequately safeguard the country's freedom from foot-and-mouth and other diseases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangThe Council of Ministers reached agreement in December 1976 on a number of important animal health measures. These measures were carried into Community law by Directive 77/98 which was published in the Official Journal on 31st January, and I have placed in the Library a statement describing the implications of the agreement in greater detail. My right hon. Friends and I are fully satisfied that the new arrangements will afford adequate protection to the United Kingdom's livestock from foot-and-mouth disease and will provide a better Community framework within which further disease control measures can be instituted.