§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the registered markets for the collection of over-30-month scheme cattle in East Anglia. [107753]
§ Ms QuinWithin East Anglia there are two markets at Norwich and Colchester registered with the Intervention Board for the live collection of over-30-month scheme cattle. The number of markets, and indeed abattoirs, in the region reflects the traditional patterns of marketing cull cows from the area and the predominantly arable nature of farming within the region.
§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 24 January 2000,Official Report, column 9W, on BSE, in determining whether a company has a satisfactory and long-standing contractual relationship under the OTMS, what examination is made of the annual published accounts of the company concerned. [107757]
§ Ms QuinThe Intervention Board closely monitors the performance of the abattoirs with whom it contracts to provide over-30-month scheme services. This includes daily supervision of operations and verification checks of the companies' performance on the specified scheme work including their duties as a payment centre. I can confirm that, where the Board already had an established754W and satisfactory working relationship with an abattoir, no reference was made to those companies' published accounts in evaluating their tenders. For new suppliers, or in any case of doubt, it is the Board's policy to seek information on the financial standing of a company before entering into a contract.