§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if she will make a statement as to how surplus beef released by the European Commission is being distributed in Nottinghamshire;
(2) if she will outline the mechanisms adopted by the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce for the distribution of surplus beef released by the European Commission into the United Kingdom; and if she will list the local authority areas in which the distribution is being undertaken by (a) local authorities, (b) voluntary organisations and (c) individuals.
§ Mr. JackThe distribution of produce to eligible recipients under the EC surplus food scheme is carried out through charitable or non-profit making organisations. This year, 1,055 organisations have been designated by Agriculture Departments in the United Kingdom to distribute 12,200 tonnes of beef released from intervention for processing and canning. The Intervention Board executive agency is currently co-ordinating deliveries of the beef to designated organisations which will then make their own arrangements to distribute the produce locally.
A list of designated organisations, including those in Nottinghamshire, has been placed in the Library of the House.