HC Deb 07 February 2000 vol 344 cc77-8W
Mr. Paice

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what point ownership of a cow over 30 months old transfers to the Intervention Board under the over-30-months scheme in the case where a livestock market is used as a collection centre and animals are tagged by the Board at that centre. [108130]

Ms Quin

For the purpose of the Over-30-months scheme the Intervention Board does not take ownership of the cattle until they are presented for slaughter, and it is at this point that eligibility for compensation is determined. Producers have the option of submitting animals into the scheme directly to abattoirs on a deadweight basis, or via auction markets who act as agents for producers in submitting animals into the scheme on a liveweight basis. At auction markets animals undergo preliminary eligibility checks, in particular weighing. A further tag is inserted in the animal's ear at this stage for ease of identification purposes only.

Mr. Jack

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the operational and cost consequences for farmers and the livestock trade in the north-west of the decision by the Intervention Board to withdraw the Nottingham processing company from the over 30 months scheme. [105297]

Ms Quin

[holding answer 19 January 2000]: Sufficient Over-30-months Scheme (OTMS) slaughtering capacity has been contracted from the abattoirs at Oldham, Great Harwood and Ulverston, such that there will be little, if any effect on the farming community in the north-west as a consequence of the non-award of an OTMS slaughtering contract to the Nottingham abattoir.

Mr. Jack

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the financial checks which are made on companies competing for over 30 months scheme contracts. [105293]

Ms Quin

[holding answer 19 January 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles), on 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 9W.