HL Deb 25 February 1997 vol 578 cc84-5WA
Lord Dixon-Smith

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they intend to submit proposals for a United Kingdom Certified Herds Scheme to the European Commission.

Lord Lucas

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has today submitted to the Commission papers which explain how the UK has fulfilled the pre-conditions laid down under the Florence Agreement, our proposals for a UK Export Certified Herds Scheme and the scientific basis for that scheme. A copy of these papers has been placed in the Library of the House. He has urged the Commission to ensure that the consultation procedure laid down in the Florence Agreement is initiated immediately so that we can resume exports of meat from animals in export certified herds as quickly as possible. He has also written to his counterparts in other member states to explain how we have implemented the BSE eradication programme in the UK and to seek a constructive contribution to the discussion of our proposals.