§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce additional compensation measures for meat companies which derived the majority of their sales revenue from beef exports prior to the imposition of the worldwide ban on British beef. [30011]
157W
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 20 May 1996]: The Government have announced a number of changes to the beef stocks transfer scheme following consultation which will be of assistance to licensed abattoirs and cutting plants which previously exported beef. The scope of the scheme has been extended to stocks owned by these bodies which were in transit to or stored in export markets on 9 April, in certain circumstances, destroyed overseas by, or at the instruction of, foreign Governments as a result of the crisis. The higher chilled value will be allowed for boneless primals frozen in the seven days before 25 March, where it is clear that this action was taken in response to frustrated export orders.
Special export refund beef will all be purchased at the chilled valuation. For eligible exports stocks currently overseas or in transit, destruction overseas may be allowed where this is the most cost effective method of disposal.