British Cattle Movement Service

HC Deb 17 December 1997 vol 303 cc225-6W

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on progress on setting up the British Cattle Movement Service at Workington. [21661]

Mr. Rooker

I am glad to report that refurbishment work has been completed at three out of the four buildings at the British Cattle Movement Service site at Workington. One building was handed over to MAFF in November, and a further two are being completed and handed over today. Work is now underway to equip these buildings ready for occupation. The fourth building will be handed over next year.

I am also pleased to announce that we have appointed a Director of the British Cattle Movement Service following an open competition. He is David Evans, currently Assistant Regional Director at the MAFF Regional Service Centre at Carlisle.

These developments are milestones in the important task of setting up the British Cattle Movement Service, which will run the new computerised cattle tracing system for Great Britain.