HC Deb 16 March 1976 vol 907 cc492-3W
Mr. Watt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be in a position to announce the revised standards of grading for fat cattle; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peart

The Agriculture Ministers have reviewed the certification standards in the light of experience since premiums were introduced in August 1974. Advice received from the MLC and all the trade and farming interests concerned was fully taken into account. We have decided that the general standards both for conformation and finish should be maintained but in order to take account of recent husbandry and marketing developments we are amending the standard for young bulls. This will allow bull carcases of superior conformation to be accepted even though they may have a lower level of finish.