§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he first issued the export certificate, numbered EC400, for use by local veterinary inspectors to certify calves under the age of 42 days destined for France. [20774]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe earliest available official records confirm that export certificate EC400 was in use in 1977 and applied originally to the export of calves under 15 days of age. It is not possible, however, to establish when it was first used. Records also confirm that the certificate was first used for the export of calves under 42 days of age to France in October 1980.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consignments containing calves between the ages of 15 days and 42 days were exported on certificate EC400 to France in 1995. [20822]
§ Mrs. BrowningPrecise information on the number of consignments containing calves between 15 and 42 days of age exported in 1955 to France on EC400 certification could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. We believe, however, that approximately 1,800 consignments were exported on certificate EC400 in 1995. An informal analysis of trade during 1995 indicated that the majority of consignments of calves exported to France included calves between 15 days and 42 days of age.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of livestock markets in England and Wales currently meet the approved EU standards for export purposes, such that they would qualify as departure points for calculation of overall journey times; and if he will make a statement. [21826]
312W
Number of licences issued in England during the last five years1 County Year ending 31 March 1992 Year ending 31 March 1993 Year ending 31 March 1994 Year ending 31 March 1995 Period ending 19 March 1996 Cheshire 2 1 — — — Cornwall 1 2 1 1 1 Dorset 1 1 1 1 1 Hampshire — — — 1 1 Humberside — 1 — — — Isle of Wight 1 1 1 1 1 Lancashire 9 9 4 5 5 Norfolk 1 — — — — Northumberland 1 1 1 1 1 Staffordshire — — 1 1 1 Suffolk 3 2 2 1 — West Yorkshire — 2 1 1 1 Total 19 20 12 13 12 1 The date of issue of a licence does not necessarily correspond with the date on which the licence comes into affect.
§ Mrs. BrowningThe percentage of livestock markets that meets the conditions for EC approval is not known since all livestock markets that want to be EC approved must apply for such status and be inspected by Ministry veterinary staff before approval may be granted.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consignments of calves which started their export journey at Wix lairage in Essex are under investigation in respect of animal health certification and ear tag irregularities. [21757]
§ Mrs. BrowningThis Department is not carrying out any investigations at Wix lairage in Essex. Enforcement of the legislation governing the health rules for consignments intended for export is the responsibility of the local authority.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the animal export certification procedures carried out by the local veterinary inspector at Wix lairage in Essex. [21758]
§ Mrs. BrowningMeetings have been held with the local veterinary inspector—LVI—for the Wix lairage in Essex to discuss the export certification procedures. In addition, export health certificates issued by the LVI are checked by local Ministry staff as part of the Department's audit procedures.