§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances he will make over 30 months' prime beef available to the United Kingdom consumer. [31829]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 7 June 1996]: Proposals for the establishment of a voluntary beef assurance scheme for those specialist beef herds reared mainly on grass which had not come into contact with meat or bonemeal and where no cases of BSE have occurred were issued on 3 May. Under the proposed scheme, participants will be able to sell cattle over 30 months for slaughter for human consumption purposes. The detailed rules of the scheme are being drawn up with a view to introducing it in July.