§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the prospects for the lifting of current EU restrictions on the non-food use of British tallow. [44359]
§ Mr. RookerConditions for the export of tallow derived from bovine animals slaughtered in the UK for use in human food, animal feed, cosmetics and medical and pharmaceutical products are laid down in Council Decision 98/256/EC. However, exports may not recommence until the European Commission has inspected the implementation in the UK of the controls laid down in the Decision and set a date for this, after consulting the Standing Veterinary Committee. We invited the Commission to carry out the required inspection as far back as October 1997. We hope they will do so soon.
532WTallow derived from bovine animals slaughtered in the UK can already be exported for uses other than in human food, animal feed, cosmetics and medical and pharmaceutical products.