HC Deb 05 July 1995 vol 263 cc297-8W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the nature of the irregularities in the UK beef intervention system which are to result in the European Commission imposing a fine on the United Kingdom Government; and if he will make a statement. [31941]

Mr. Waldegrave

[holding answer 4 July 1995]: The Commission's special inquiry into the arrangements applying to the intervention of beef in several member states highlighted a number of control weaknesses. Before and during the time of the inquiry, the UK authorities uncovered irregularities concerning substitution and theft of beef destined for public storage, which were reported to the Commission. Improved procedures are now in place and action for the recovery of the relevant costs for these irregularities was taken. The level of financial correction proposed by the European Commission has not yet been finalised.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his estimate of the amount of substandard beef held in intervention stocks in the United Kingdom in each of the last six years(a) in tonnes and (b) as a percentage of United Kingdom intervention stocks; [32354]

(2) how much beef currently in intervention in the United Kingdom is considered to be substandard (a) in tonnes and (b) as a percentage of United Kingdom intervention stocks. [32355]

Mr. Waldegrave

The Intervention Board became aware in 1991 of the presence in store of beef which was not of intervention standard. Subsequent investigations, which included a box by box examination of boned beef, have revealed a total of 404 tonnes which did not meet the intervention standards. The beef in question was taken into store in the period June 1990 to November 1993, the last month in which there was intervention buying of beef in the UK. Over that period total intake of beef was 261,000 tonnes, the ineligible quantity representing 0.15 per cent. of that figure. Current stocks total 9,354 tonnes of which about 2,000 tonnes are still being examined and may include further ineligible quantities. The full value of the ineligible beef has either been recovered or will be sought from the companies responsible for boning and packaging it for intake to the intervention stores.

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