§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the ban on the export of sheep from the United Kingdom will be lifted. [16719]
§ Mr. MorleyThe European Union's Standing Veterinary Committee agreed to allow limited exports of sheep meat from specified countries of GB from 12 November 2001. The current ban on the export of livestock from GB has been extended to 31 January 2002. It is not possible at this stage to predict how long the ban will remain in place. Export restrictions on livestock from Northern Ireland were lifted on 7 June 2001.