§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which other EU member states farmers will be required to pay for registration in connection with entry to a beef labelling scheme; and in each case how much is to be charged. [48610]
Dr. John CunninghamIn the majority of member states, including the United Kingdom, no fee is charged for approvals under the Beef Labelling Scheme. We understand that in Germany, however, approval fees are charged. The fees vary between DM 800 and DM 2900 depending on the complexity of the application. Because the Scheme applies to operators between abattoir and retail level, farmers as such do not need approvals unless they are also engaged in retail or wholesale activities.