§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement about the arrangements for the use of the surplus levy funds from the Aujeszky's disease eradication fund.
§ Mr. SoamesWe have held discussions with the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. and have drawn up an arrangement for the use of the accrued interest on the surplus levy funds. Starting in this financial year, for three years the accrued interest will be used to offset some of the costs of the monitoring work carried out by the state veterinary service to maintain Great Britain's internationally recognised health status. The capital sum will remain untouched by this arrangement. At the end of the three years we will carry out a further review with the Pig Disease Eradication Fund, in the light of the developments regarding pig disease in the United Kingdom and EC. I am pleased that the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. accepts this arrangement.