§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will lift the weight restriction on cull cows under the over-30-months scheme. [26551]
§ Mr. RookerWe have no plans to do so. The 560 kilogram compensation weight limit under the over-30-months slaughter scheme is necessary in order to contain expenditure on this demand led scheme.
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review his decision to ban beef on the bone. [26555]
§ Mr. RookerI refer to my reply to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 17 December 1997,Official Report, column 232.
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§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will undertake a review of the over-30-months scheme. [26550]
§ Mr. RookerThe over-30-months Slaughter Scheme is a public health measure under which very considerable public expenditure is made. It is therefore reviewed regularly in the light of new scientific information and the budgetary provision available. Maintenance of the Scheme, which is enshrined in EU legislation, is a precondition of the Florence Agreement. Changes to the composition of the Scheme would therefore require EU approval.
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to allow public bodies subject to compulsory competitive tendering procedures to give priority to purchase of British beef for catering purposes. [26557]
§ Mr. RookerNone. Public Bodies are generally required to look for best value for money in their procurement decisions, and it would contravene the Treaty of Rome to operate a buy British Policy. Nevertheless we have recently been discussing with the Ministry of Defence how we might increase the amount of British beef purchased by the armed forces.