§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will ensure that in considering appeals against the Meat and Livestock Commission's proposal to withdraw certification centres to certain cattle markets including that at Sudbury, Suffolk, he will ensure 332W that the data upon which the Commission's work is available to market owners and that cognisance will be taken of local farming opinion;
(2) in view of the fact that the owners of Sudbury cattle market have been refused by the Meat and Livestock Commission data on the anticipated savings to the Commission which might accrue to it if Sudbury market ceases to be a certification centre, which prejudices the market's appeal to his Department, if he will take steps to remedy this.
§ Mr. BishopThe withdrawal of the approval of certain livestock markets as certification centres is the result of a review of centres throughout Great Britain to effect economies in public expenditure. Operators of all liveweight and deadweight centres have been told of the general criteria being applied, and I have also written to the hon. Member about the situation concerning Sudbury cattle market.
§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what powers the Meat and Livestock Commission is proposing to withdraw Sudbury cattle market as a certification centre; and if he is satisfied with the procedures so far followed.
§ Mr. BishopThe approval of premises, including cattle markets, as certification centres for sheep guarantee and beef premium purposes is one of the functions delegated to the Meat and Livestock Commission by Agricultural Ministers under section 3 of the Agriculture Act 1967.
My right hon. Friend and I are satisfied with the procedures so far followed in the case of Sudbury cattle market.