§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to submit proposals for a United Kingdom certified herds scheme to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement. [17888]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have, today, submitted to the Commission papers that explain how the UK has fulfilled the pre-conditions laid down under the Florence agreement, our proposals for a UK export certified herds scheme and the scientific basis for that scheme. A copy of these papers has been placed in the Library. I have urged the Commission to ensure that the consultation procedure laid down in the Florence agreement is initiated immediately so that we can resume exports of meat from animals in export certified herds as quickly as possible. I have also written to my counterparts in other member states to explain how we have implemented the BSE eradication programme in the UK and to seek a constructive contribution to the discussion of our proposals.