HC Deb 18 July 1996 vol 281 c629W
18. Mr. Riddick

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in having the EU's ban on the export of British beef lifted. [36422]

Mrs. Browning

We have agreed a framework for lifting the ban, based on objective scientific criteria. We are working hard to fulfil the conditions attached to the agreement to secure the earliest possible removal of the ban.

19. Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the ban on British beef exports to be fully lifted. [36423]

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The Florence agreement provides a framework for lifting the ban, with decisions based on objective criteria. We hope to be in a position by November to meet the necessary conditions for decisions to resume an export trade worth £530 million.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which directives with their relevant treaty articles have been quoted by official bodies of the European Community in respect of(a) restriction of inter-community trade in beef or derived foods and (b) prohibition of export of beef from the United Kingdom to any third nation not prohibiting its import. [24442]

Mrs. Browning

[holding answer 2 April 1996]: I very much regret that the hon. Member has had to wait so long for a reply.

Commission decision 96/239/EC of 27 March 1996, which prohibited both the dispatch to other member states and the export to third countries of British beef and beef products from the UK, and Commission decision 96/362/EC of 11 June, amending decision 96/239/EC and allowing the export of certain beef products from the UK under strictly controlled conditions, were based on Council directives 90/425/EEC and 89/662/EEC. The treaty base of both these directives is article 43 EC. This treaty provision allows the Council to adopt proposals relating to implementation of the common agricultural policy.