§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards the development of the livestock sector of agriculture in West Africa in view of the effect of EC subsidies for beef surpluses sent there from Europe.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)We support sustainable development in West Africa, including that of the livestock sector. Research on livestock development is supported by the ODA through its Natural Resources Programmes, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, and its contributions to international organisations.
The EC Agriculture Council agreed on 24th May to ask the Commission to investigate urgently on whether EC exports of beef are causing disruption to local cattle production, as recent reports have suggested.