§ Mr. BurnettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise the 30 month cull limit to 36 months, with special reference to beef farmers using traditional, extensive grass-based systems. [3051]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer given on 19 June 1997]: No. The Beef Assurance Scheme already provides for eligible animals aged to and including 42 months to be sold for human consumption. Eligible animals are those 355W from specialist, mainly grass reared beef herds in which no case of BSE has ever occurred and in which the risk of BSE occurring in the future is considered very low.