§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the dates260W of commencement and the estimated dates of conclusion and publication of the consultation exercises on (a) sheep dipping and (b) sheep scab control; if he proposes to issue interim reports; and if he will make a statement. [37801]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe consultation exercise on organophosphorus sheep dips formed part of a review of the certificate of competence scheme in the safe use of OP sheep dips by the Veterinary Products Committee which was announced in December 1995. A letter to interested parties was sent out from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for response by 30 January 1996. The responses were all considered by the VPC in the course of its review. Ministers forming the Licensing Authority expect to receive advice shortly, and an announcement will then be made as soon as possible. Copies of the responses to the consultation letter were placed in the Library of the House.
The consultation document on sheep scab controls was issued on 21 December 1995; comments were sought by 1 March 1996. As part of the consultation process, officials have held meetings with local authority representatives and organisations representing the sheep industry and ancillary trades. Responses to the consultation letter were made available to the public in the main MAFF library on 15 May 1996. I plan a further round of consultation on revised proposals, taking account of the comments received, in the autumn.