§ Mr. Kimballasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the consideration by the European Economic Community Council of Ministers (Agriculture) of the proposed veterinary directives dealing with imports from third countries of live cattle, pigs and fresh meat, and with intra-Community trade in fresh meat.
§ Mr. GodberAt the Council of Ministers we secured a derogation on the directive dealing with imports from third 211W countries, which will permit us to retain our national rules on imports for five years. On the directive dealing with intra-Community trade we secured a derogation permitting us, for four years, to retain for imports of fresh meat our national rules relating to protection against foot and mouth disease and swine fever. In the case of Northern Ireland the second derogation applies for five years, in so far as their rules for protection against foot and mouth disease are concerned.
There will be a review before the end of 1976 in which we shall of course, participate, with regard to the future operation of the directives.
These arrangements are in line with those already recorded in Articles 104 to 106 of the Treaty of Accession and ensure that our essential animal health requirements are safeguarded.