Beef Ban (Job Losses)

HC Deb 14 May 1996 vol 277 cc420-1W

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated loss of jobs following the ban on Northern Ireland beef by the European Union. [28457]

Mr. Ancram

The Department of Economic Development has received notifications of 142 proposed redundancies, of which 48 have taken place. All notifications relate to the red meat sector. It is estimated that some 1,500 people have been laid off due to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis.

Figures for job losses directly attributable to the export ban are not available, and a number of those affected are self-employed.