§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further consideration he has given to the issue of sheep scab policy and public safety; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanA review of sheep scab policy is taking place and an announcement will be made when this is completed.
All sheep dip products are licensed under the Medicines Act 1968 and are currently subject to a review to ensure the most up-to-date standards on safety—including safety to the environment. Any products which fail to meet these standards will be withdrawn from the market. The review will be completed by the end of the year.
Estimated degree of self sufficiency1 per cent. 1979–80 1985–86 1989–90 Wheat 2 Cereals Wheat 2 Cereals Wheat 2Cereals United Kingdom3 76.0 79.6 105.5 113.6 122.5 113.6 European Community (EC12)4 112.9 92.8 122.5 114.2 133.3 119.3 United States4 272.8 162.5 231.2 171.4 205.2 138.1 Canada4 312.7 152.5 433.9 201.7 450.0 193.1 Selected Cairns Group countries: Argentina4 202.5 231.1 189.1 209.8 232.5 188.8 Australia4 476.5 366.1 578.5 398.4 454.8 265.4 New Zealand5 87.8 99.8 80.8 116.8 50.0 100.0 1 Self sufficiency is defined here as quantity produced divided by quantity consumed: this may differ from definition used nationally. 2 Wheat and coarse grain excluding rice. 3 Source: Home-Grown Cereals Authority, 'Cereal Statistics'. 1983, 1988 and 1990 editions. 4 Source for wheat and coarse grains data: FAO 'Food Outlook', February 1991; FAO 'Food Outlook' Statistical Supplement 1989. 5 Source is OECD: 1979–80 from 'National Policies and Agricultural Trade, Country Study: New Zealand'—cereals are wheat and barley only; 1985–86 and 1989–90 from 1988 and 1990 editions respectively of OECD 'Agricultural Policies, Markets and Trade, Monitoring and Outlook Report'.