Beef Ban (Hansard, 2 July 1998)

§ 15. Mr. Thompson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the date-based scheme associated with the lifting of the beef ban. [47172]

Dr. John Cunningham
The European Commission issued its proposal for a Date-based Export Scheme on 10 June. This proposal was discussed by the Standing Veterinary Committee on 12 and 18 June. I expect the Standing Veterinary Committee to discuss the proposal again on 7 July.

§ 16. Mr. Todd
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to assist the UK beef industry to regain former export markets once the ban has been lifted. [47173]

§ Mr. Rooker
Once the ban is lifted, I and colleagues in MAFF and other Government Departments will take all possible steps to encourage the rebuilding of our beef export industry. It will be for the industry to spearhead the drive, but it will do so with full Ministerial participation.

§ 19. Mr. Hanson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects it to be possible to resume exports of beef. [47176]

§ 26. Mr. Ainger
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made on the lifting of the EU ban on the export of British beef. [47182]

§ Mr. Rooker
Exports of Northern Ireland Export Certified Herds Scheme beef have been permitted since 1 June. The Northern Ireland industry, in conjunction with the Government, have been working hard to regain former customers, as well as attracting new ones. The European Commission proposal for a Date-based Export Scheme, for the whole of the UK, is currently being considered by the Standing Veterinary Committee.