§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will commission a cost benefit analysis of their achievement in getting export restrictions on beef lifted from some herds in Northern Ireland. [HL1125]
§ Lord DonoughueThere are no plans to conduct a cost benefit analysis of the achievement in getting the beef export ban lifted. The value to Northern Ireland farmers of the export market prior to the ban was over £200 million per annum. The extent to which the Northern Ireland beef industry will regain its export markets will be dependent on a number of factors which cannot yet be evaluated.