§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to ensure the saleability of cattle born after 1 August 1996. [9543]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 21 July 1997]: We are discussing with the European Commission a proposal to allow the export of meat from cattle born after a specified date. The first of August 1996 is a key date as, from that date, it became an offence to use or possess mammalian meat and bone meal on a farm and remaining stocks on farms had to be surrendered by that date. This, together with the introduction of cattle passports in July 1996, means that we are able to offer additional safeguards in respect of animals born after that date to our trading partners.