§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the exemptions he makes from his general policy of requiring the destruction of carcases of cattle over the age of 30 months; and what controls he has introduced to monitor such disposals. [31579]
§ Mr. BoswellNo such exemptions are made as the EC regulation (716/96) governing the over 30 months scheme requires destruction of the carcases.
§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to investigate allegations of abuse of the cattle disposal scheme with special reference to giving preference to dealers or farmers for improper reasons; and if he will make a statement. [31627]
§ Mr. BaldryWe have made it clear that abuses of the scheme will not be tolerated. Collection centres found to be breaching scheme rules will be removed from the scheme. No allegation of abuse of the kind referred to by the hon. Member has been substantiated. Anyone with a complaint about infringement of the rules has been invited to make it either to the Intervention Board or to the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.