§ Lord Stanley of Alderleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the current state of negotiations regarding the special export certification for ewes, and in particular whether:
- (i) they have made any estimate as to the loss to the United Kingdom if "clawback" at the same rate as that levied on lamb exports were levied on ewes.
1598 - (ii) exporters and sheep producers have expressed similar concern over the proposal by the Commission, encouraged by France, to disband special export certification on ewes, and what action they intend to take to prevent in this matter
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)Discussions are continuing. The EC Commission is committed to bringing the SEC arrangements as such to an end, but has undertaken to make every effort to secure agreement between the member states concerned on the arrangements to apply thereafter. Various United Kingdom interests have expressed concern over the possible adverse effects on the United Kingdom industry. We are seeking to ensure that these effects are as far as possible minimised.