Cattle Tracing System (Hansard, 10 December 1996)

Lord Lucas

The Government commissioned a feasibility study on establishing a computerised cattle traceability system in Great Britain in July 1996. The study has been completed, and its findings considered. My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food along with my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales are putting forward proposals for implementation of the system.

The Government consider that improved cattle traceability would have considerable benefit in underpinning consumer confidence in the beef market. All cattle born or imported to Great Britain since 1st July 1996 have had to have a cattle passport. This records details of the animal's identity and its movements. Holding the details of movements on a 86WA computer database would improve tracing of animals still further. There are already similar databases in Northern Ireland and in some other European countries.

Under the proposals, details of the cattle movements would be entered on to the computer database by a new private sector organisation, known as the "British Cattle Movement Service". Farmers and others in the livestock industry would send in details of cattle movements using a simple form and a "freepost" system. Businesses reporting large volumes of movements, such as livestock markets and abattoirs, would be able to use electronic data transfer instead of a form. Access to the movement information on the database would be permitted, probably on payment of a charge.

The livestock industry will be the main beneficiary of the computerised cattle traceability system, which will be essential to help re-establish confidence in beef and beef products at home and abroad. Thus the Government are proposing that the running costs of the system should be borne by the industry. Including the costs of postage, these are likely to be some £20 million to £25 million a year. The Government propose to meet the start-up costs of the system (estimated at some £5 million).

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recognises that this project is of great significance to the livestock industry. In order for the computerised system to be effective, it will be essential to have the industry's support. Thus during implementation of the system, the Government will continue the close liaison they have had with the industry during and since the feasibility study commissioned in July. We look forward to a constructive dialogue with the industry on the proposals in our consultation document, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The deadline for responses is 31st January 1997.