HC Deb 01 July 1996 vol 280 cc360-1W
Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to increase the age of calves slaughtered under the calf compensation scheme, as part of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy culling programme, to 21 days. [34101]

Mr. Baldry

The Agriculture Council agreed at its meeting on 24 to 27 June that the age limit for calves under the scheme should be increased to 20 days in appropriate cases to be agreed by the Commission. We will be seeking to implement this change in the United Kingdom as soon as the necessary legislative provisions are in place.

Miss Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review compensation schemes for animals under 30 months of age in the current BSE culling programme; and if he will make a statement. [34102]

Mr. Baldry

Adult animals under 30 months of age are not covered by any measures of the sort described. The slaughter premium for calves is prescribed in Council Regulation 805/68, as amended.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to reply to the letters of 7 and 30 May from the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich inquiring about the scientific basis of the cattle cull. [34434]

Mr. Boswell

My hon. Friend the Minister of State replied to the letters of 7 and 30 May on 28 June 1996.

Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to monitor the activities of dealers taking advantage of the cow slaughter schemes; and what action he takes in the event of abuse. [34266]

Mr. Baldry

[holding answer 26 June 1996]: The activities of dealers are not monitored on a regular basis under the over-30 months slaughter scheme. We have, however, announced arrangements which will ensure that livestock markets get a fair share of the throughput of cattle to be slaughtered. We have also made clear that abuses of the scheme will not be tolerated.

Any allegations of abuse of the scheme rules made to the intervention board or to the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be investigated.