§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to impose a ban on all beef and beef products, originating in countries which(a) cannot demonstrate a total absence of BSE in their cattle herds and (b) have not instituted a complete ban on specified bovine material and the use of animal protein in animal rations. [14769]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe Fresh Meat (Beef Control) Regulations 1996 prohibit the sale for human consumption of all bovine meat derived from bovines which at the time of slaughter were more than 30 months old. This measure applies to cattle slaughtered on or after 29 March 1996 whether in the United Kingdom or overseas, other than those born, reared and slaughtered in specific third countries set out in the regulations. This list of countries is confined to those where the Government630W are satisfied that we can import beef without risk because they are free of BSE. Other countries, including all other member states, are covered by the 30-month rule.
The Government do not believe that it is necessary to go beyond this and institute a wider ban on the basis proposed by the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) in order to protect public health. Those member states which have endemic BSE already have controls in place to remove bovine offals which are similar in nature to those in this country. The Government have strongly supported European Commission proposals to introduce controls on bovine offals on a Community-wide basis which were discussed by the Council in December and rejected. We are pressing the Commission to introduce revised proposals shortly.
The European Community already has a prohibition on the use of mammalian protein in ruminant rations, with certain exceptions. The United Kingdom law goes further and covers mammalian meat and bonemeal in all farm animal rations but neither European Community nor UK law prohibits the use of all animal protein in animal rations. In particular exceptions are made for mammalian proteins such as milk and there are no prohibitions on fish or avian proteins in any animal feed nor any scientific basis on which to justify such action.
Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses he has received to the consultation document, "Proposal for a UK Certified Herds Scheme"; from what source; and if his Department will publish a summary of those responses. [15874]
§ Mr. BaldryForty eight replies were received in the UK to the consultation document, "Proposal for a UK Certified Herds Scheme". A list of those who responded and copies of their responses can be examined at the libraries of the Agricultural Departments.
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Mr. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress in discussions with the European Commission on the introduction of a UK certified herds scheme. [15876]
§ Mr. BaldryWe have been working closely with the Commission on our proposals for an export certified herds scheme and intend formally to submit those proposals shortly. Thereafter, the proposals will be subject to the process laid down in the Florence agreement, which includes: consultation with the Scientific Veterinary Committee, the Multi Disciplinary Scientific Committee and, where appropriate, other relevant scientific committees, in tandem with discussions in the Standing Veterinary Committee. In the light of those discussions, the Commission will take a decision using established procedures and will subsequently fix the date when exports can effectively resume following a successful outcome of a Community inspection.
Mr. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what response his Department has made to the criticisms by the National Farmers Union of the proposed certified herds scheme. [15875]
§ Mr. BaldryWe are finalising our proposals for an export certified herds scheme in the light of comments made on our consultation document from the National Farmers Union and others.
Mr. WilliamsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is the Government's policy to press for a lifting of the European ban first on certified herds in Northern Ireland. [15877]
§ Mr. BaldryI refer the hon. Member to the full statement by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster during the debate on the BSE crisis,Official Report, columns 708–13. My right hon. Friend made it clear that the export certified herds scheme we will put forward to the Commission applies to the whole United Kingdom but that Northern Ireland, with its computerised cattle tracing system and low incidence of BSE, would derive immediate and significant benefit from our proposals.