HC Deb 11 July 1996 vol 281 cc308-9W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost of disposal of(a) beef, and (b) dairy cattle sent for slaughter in the United Kingdom (i) per head and (ii) in total; and if he will make a statement. [24494]

Mrs. Browning

On the question of costs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 27 June 1996, Official Report column 234.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the period of time over which all(a) beef and (b) dairy cattle aged over 30 months in the United Kingdom could be slaughtered; and if he will make a statement. [24495]

Mrs. Browning

No estimate has been made of the timescale in which all such animals could be slaughtered. The objective in the short term is to eliminate the backlog of cattle eligible for slaughter under the over 30 month slaughter scheme as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in his statement to the House on 24 June, Official Report column 21.