§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to encourage(a) the sheep farming industry to 283W replace live animal exports with the export of meat and carcasses, (b) the public to purchase domestically produced rather than imported lamb and (c) retailers to market UK-produced light lambs while paying a price to farmers which properly reflects the production costs. [72443]
§ Mr. MorleyThrough its Industry Forum Adaptation Scheme, the Government is helping to fund work being undertaken by the Red Meat Industry Forum to improve the competitiveness of the red meat industry. Over the three financial years ending in 2005, a contribution of £1.52 million has been committed to match industry funding of £1.7 million on benchmarking, analysis of the supply chain and masterclasses. The Forum is also pursuing other initiatives in its ten point action plan, which was launched in March this year. Work of the Forum is being led by the Meat and Livestock Commission, which as part of its remit undertakes promotional support for the benefit of sheep producers. Many marketing issues, including the export of sheep for slaughter, involve commercial decisions in which the Government only has a limited role. In encouraging change the Government welcomes the work of the Forum and other industry initiatives to build partnership and trust in the supply chain.