§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will encourage a system of passports for finished cattle at auction;
(2) what information he has of the present usage of the system of passports for finished cattle at auction.
§ Mr. CurryI understand that a "passport" system for cattle is operated in a number of member states of the European Community. Proposals for a common system of livestock identification are expected to be put forward by424W the European Commission to the Council of Agriculture Ministers. I have no plans to introduce changes to the system of cattle identification in the United Kingdom in advance of agreement on those proposals.