HC Deb 07 December 1992 vol 215 cc511-3W
Mr. Sproat

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 26 November,Official Report, column 826, if he will list, by identifiable title for each measure, all the measures in areas governed by the EC increasing regulation in any area for which his Department has responsibility which his Department has caused to be put into effect since 9 April.

Mr. Curry

A very high proportion of the activities for which this Department has policy responsibility are governed by EC regulation. EC Council and Commission regulations are directly applicable and in general do not require United Kingdom legislation for their implementation beyond enforcement and offence provisions. EC directives require United Kingdom implementing legislation to apply them although the boundary between EC and United Kingdom legislative responsibility is not always clear cut. I consider the following measures, implemented since 9 April, might have increased the legislative burden on businessCouncil Regulation (EEC) No. 1765/92 of 30 June 1992 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops (as amended). Commission Implementing Regulation (EEC) No. 2780/92 of 24 September on the conditions for the grant of compensatory payments under the support system for producers of certain arable crops. Commission Implementing Regulation (EEC) No. 2294/92 of 31 July on detailed rules for the application of the support system for producers of the oil seeds referred to in Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1765/92 (as amended). Commission Implementing Regulation (EEC) No. 2295/92 of 31 July 1992 on detailed rules for the application of the support system for producers of the protein crops referred to in Article 6 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1765/92 (as amended). Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2293/92 of 31 July 1992 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1765/92 with regard to the set-aside scheme referred to in Article 7. Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2296/92 of 31 July 1992 laying down certain rules of application of the use of land set aside for the provision of materials for the manufacture within the Community of products not primarily intended for human or animal consumption (as amended). The Food Additives Labelling Regulations 1992 (SI 1991 No. 1978). The Flavourings in Food Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 1971). The Organic Products Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 2111). Entered into force 1 October 1992. This SI implements the requirement of Council Regulation 2092/91 for a national control body. This body will oversee the registration of all organic farmers/producers etc. and ensure organic standards are met. There is a charge for registration. Two SIs will come into effect on 1 January 1993 on horses. One will implement 90/428 the other 90/427. The titles are: The Horses (Free Access to Competitions) Regulations 1992. The Horses (Zootechnical Standards) Regulations 1992.They are to be laid before Parliament on 10 December.Council Regulation 2083/92 (14 July 1992)—amending Regulation 2092/91 on third country imports whereby a Member State's 'competent authority' may authorise imports from a third country that is not on the official Commission list. This amendment also alters the date of implementation of Regulation 2092/91 from 23 July 1992 to 1 January 1993. Commission Regulation 1535/92 (15 June 1992)—amending Annexes II and III of Council Regulation 2092/91 whereby national rules on organic animals and organic animal products shall apply until Commission standards are agreed. The Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1992 SI No. 1613. These Regulations implement Commission Directive 92/9/EEC so as to introduce standards for seed borne disease organisms harmful to soya beans. The Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1992 SI No. 1614 and The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 SI 1615. These two Regulations implement Commission Directive 92/ 19/EEC by adding Festulolium (a cross between Meadow fescue and Italian Ryegrass) to each of the Regulations. A number of quota management measures have been put into effect to regulate the fishing industry, but this is a continuing requirement reflecting the United Kingdom's CFP obligation and does not represent any increase in regulation. Council Regulation (EEC) 345/92 amending for the 11th time Council Regulation (EEC) 3094/86 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources. Council Regulation (EEC) 1465/961 amending for the 12th time Council Regulation (EEC) 3094/86 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources. Council Regulation (EEC) 2120/921 amending for the 13th time Council Regulation (EEC) 3094/86 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources. Council Regulation (EEC) 3034/92 amending for the 14th time Council Regulation (EEC) 3094/86 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources. All these EEC Regulations are enforced in the United Kingdom by the Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Conservation Measures) Order 1986. SI 1986 No. 2090 (as amended). 1 Council Regulations (EEC) 1465/92 and 2120.92 lapse on 31 December 1992 if not renewed. The Fresh Meat (Hygiene & Inspection) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 2037). These Regulations replace all the previous GB legislation on slaughterhouse hygiene and meat inspection: 15 earlier SIs are revoked. They are however wider in scope than the earlier Regulations, since all cutting rooms and cold stores handling fresh meat are now affected. Salmonella Controls: The Poultry Flocks, Hatcheries and Processed Animal Protein (Fees) Order 1992.