§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Agriculture Secretary with regard to ensuring that beef which is imported from Europe is not labelled as Welsh Beef. [118438]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyMy hon. Friend and I meet regularly with our colleagues in the National Assembly to discuss a range of issues including the agriculture sector. The Assembly subscribes to the voluntary Beef Labelling Scheme which operates in implementation of an EC Regulation, and traceability is a key feature. The labels must indicate the location where birth, rearing and slaughter took place and, though labelling itself is voluntary, the rules of the scheme should be adhered to if labelling is done. There are discussions taking place within the EU to finalise the precise structure of a compulsory scheme which it is anticipated will start to operate in September.