HC Deb 19 February 1998 vol 306 c820W
29. Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made towards achieving a lifting of the beef export ban. [28774]

Mr. Rooker

I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Ms Fitzsimons) earlier today about the Export Certified Herds Scheme.

We have also submitted proposals to the Commission for a Date Based Export Scheme to permit the export of UK beef from cattle born after 1 August 1996. The Scientific Steering Committee has given a positive response to the principle of this scheme. Following further discussion with the Commission, officials formally responded, on 29 January, to the Scientific Steering Committee's opinion. We await the Commission's response.