§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the EEC regulations on the movement of brucellosis-free cattle are being equitably interpreted by the United Kingdom's Community partners in relation to cattle from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, respectively; and if he will publish a statement indicating the current treatment of United Kingdom brucellosis-free store cattle exports by each individual Community country.
§ Mrs. FennerOur Community partners are fully entitled to apply the requirements of the EEC directive relating to brucellosis in relation to cattle from the534W United Kingdom. Given the standard we have taken on our own requirements for protection against FMD and swine fever, their application of Community law to protect themselves against brucellosis is both reasonable and equitable.
My hon. Friend will be aware that pending Government decisions on the recommendations of the O'Brien Committee no new licences for the export of slaughter or store cattle from the United Kingdom are being issued. The attitude of individual member States of EEC on the question of exports of breeding or store cattle from United Kingdom is as follows:
West Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg will only accept cattle from "officially" brucellosis-free herds which currently excludes cattle from the United Kingdom.
Denmark and the Republic of Ireland retain their national rules for animal imports under the Treaty of Accession and will accept cattle from the United Kingdom subject to certain brucellosis safeguards. Italy is prepared to accept cattle from brucellosis-free as opposed to "officially" free herds.
France now only accepts cattle from "officially" brucellosis-free herds but is willing to discuss the question with the United Kingdom. These discussions are proceeding.