HC Deb 12 June 1997 vol 295 cc536-8W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports his Department obtains regarding prosecutions by local authorities for offences under the Bovine Animals (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1995; and if he will make a statement. [2805]

Mr. Rooker

The Department obtains quarterly reports from local authorities regarding prosecutions under the Animal Health Act 1981 for offences under the Bovine Animals (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1995.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports his Department obtains regarding prosecutions by local authorities for offences under the Heads of Sheep and Goats Order 1996; and if he will make a statement. [2806]

Mr. Rooker

The Heads of Sheep and Goats Order is made under the Animal Health Act 1981. Local authorities are required to inform the Ministry of any prosecutions taken in 1996, including by local authorities, are contained in the "Return of Expenditure Incurred and Prosecutions taken under the Animal Health Act 1981, and Incidence of Disease in Imported Animals for the Year 1996" made to Parliament under Section 80 of the Act. That shows no prosecutions taken in 1996 under this Order and we are aware of none so far this year.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports his Department obtains regarding prosecutions by local authorities for offences under the SBM Order; and if he will make a statement. [2810]

Mr. Rooker

The SBM Order is made under the Animal Health Act 1981. Local authorities are required to inform the Ministry of any prosecutions taken under Orders made under the Act. Details of prosecutions taken in 1996, including by local authorities, are contained in the "Return of Expenditure Incurred and Prosecutions taken under the Animal Health Act 1981, and Incidences of Disease in Imported Animals for the Year 1996" made to Parliament under Section 80 of the Act. They are also reported in the monthly BSE Enforcement Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, and the latest of which was sent by me to every Right hon. and hon. Member last week.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports his Department obtains regarding prosecutions by local authorities for offences under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; and if he will make a statement. [2811]

Mr. Rooker

Local authorities have no enforcement responsibilities under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995. These Regulations are enforced by the Meat Hygiene Service, an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, created in 1995. Details of any prosecutions under these Regulations will be reported in the monthly Meat Hygiene Enforcement Report which was first published at the end of May 1997, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. A copy was also sent by me to all hon. Members last week.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports his Department obtains regarding prosecutions by local authorities for offences under the Fresh Meat (Beef Control) Regulations 1996; and if he will make a statement. [2812]

Mr. Rooker

There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to notify my Department of prosecutions they make under the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) Regulations 1996. However, the Ministry obtains as much information as possible on such prosecutions by other means, including the BSE Regulatory Forum which is attended by local authority representatives to co-ordinate enforcement activity, and from day to day contacts between local authorities and Ministry staff around the country. Details are reported in the monthly BSE Enforcement Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, the latest of which was sent to all hon. Members last week.