HC Deb 11 November 1997 vol 300 cc515-6W
Mr. Jack

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish for each month, for(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997 to date the levels of domestic beef consumption. [15458]

Mr. Morley

I am replying in my right hon. Friend's absence as he is on official business in South Africa.

Available monthly information on the consumption of beef in the home is given in the table.

This information is from the National Food Survey. The monthly estimates shown contain a greater level of sampling error than the quarterly results normally published for this survey. Therefore a degree of caution is needed when comparing individual month on month changes.

discarded immediately into the sea. Other provisions require undersized fish, shellfish and crustaceans to be discarded immediately.

The new EC Regulation agreed at the Fisheries Council on 30 October to come into effect on 1 January 2000 alters these rules so that: for all vessels at all times the percentage of target species retained on board must be at least half that required by the Regulation; in addition, for those vessels required to complete logbooks, after the first 24 hours of a trip the catch composition percentages must be correct at time of the daily completion of the logbooks; in all cases, the catch composition percentages must be correct at time of return to port.

As in the present regulation, undersized specimens must be discarded immediately.

These changes are to reduce the quantity of fish discarded.

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