§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to ensure that cattle producers in Wales have equal access to the authorised abattoirs in England under the 30-month cattle cull with producers from other cases; and if he will make a statement. [1753]
§ Mr. BaldryABP Shrewsbury and Duggins (Bromsgrove), the two designated abattoirs to which I assume the hon. Member is referring, are required to source a predetermined number of cattle from Wales each week. No other area of the country has this guaranteed and preferential access to the two abattoirs concerned.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has of the numbers of cattle over 30 months awaiting slaughter; and how this estimate was arrived at. [1955]
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 1 November 1996]: A sample survey by telephone was conducted in September to estimate the number of cattle on farms awaiting slaughter under the over-30-month scheme. The survey indicated that a backlog was then of the order of 400,000 animals in the United Kingdom. We have since introduced a registration system for animals awaiting slaughter which will establish more precisely the size of the backlog.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the benefits of a full written survey of farmers to ascertain precise numbers of cattle over 30 months awaiting slaughter. [1956]
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 1 November 1996]: The registration system for cattle, which are awaiting slaughter as at 2 November under the over-30-month scheme, will enable priority to be given to such animals as from 4 November.