HC Deb 04 November 2002 vol 392 cc95-6W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (1) what assessment she has made of the accuracy of data held by the BCMS; and if she will make a statement; [79281]

(2) what assessment she has made of how up to date the information held by the BCMS is; and if she will make a statement. [79320]

Alun Michael

The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) works hard to validate and cleanse the information it is sent by cattle keepers. The information received by BCMS can often be incomplete or incorrect. The BCMS and the Paying Agencies throughout Great Britain cross check their data to confirm accuracy and identify and rectify anomalies. This is a time consuming and laborious process. The BCMS is working with partners in Government and Industry to improve the quality of the data that it receives.

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