§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the EU draft regulations on drivers' hours on the UK livestock industry. [59667]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
My Department carried out an extensive public consultation exercise on the European Commission proposal to amend the existing European Union (EU) drivers' hours rules as part of our consideration of the likely impact of this proposal on UK industry. Those consulted include DEFRA, the Freight Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association, the National Farmers' Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, Farmers Union for Wales, and the Dairy Industry Federation.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what meetings he has had with his counterparts in the other nations of the EU to discuss the impact of the EU draft regulations on drivers' hours on the animal transport industry within the UK. [59669]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
None. There is to be an orientation debate on this issue at the Transport Council on 17 June which will provide the opportunity for Ministers from all member states to express their views. In the meantime, discussions will continue to take place at official level.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the(a) Scottish Executive, (b) National Assembly for Wales and (c) Northern Ireland Assembly on the impact on the UK livestock industry of the EU draft regulations on drivers' hours. [59678]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
My Department carried out an extensive public consultation exercise on the European Commission proposal to amend the existing European Union (EU) drivers' hours rules. The Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive were invited to contribute.