§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost to the UK of France's ban on British beef; and what steps she has taken to recover such costs. [184006]
§ Mr. BradshawThe value of beef exports from the UK to France in 1995 was £250 million. However a large proportion of this was in the form of carcase beef from Over Thirty Month cattle. Exports of such beef are not permitted under the EU rules of the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES). Trade would also have been affected by factors such as the exchange rate, consumer confidence in France and the need for any UK slaughterhouses wishing to export to be approved under the stringent requirements of the DBES.
Compensation for losses resulting from the ban must be sought by those directly affected. It is not for the Government to seek compensation for damages to UK interests because it is not directly involved from a legal point of view. We would provide full support in terms of information and practical assistance to those who wish to seek compensation (although, as a matter of policy, we will not provide funding or detailed legal advice).