HC Deb 29 June 1998 vol 315 cc103-4W
Mr. Jack

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the cull ewe trade with France is not able to use the abattoirs(a) MUS in Douai, (b) CVD in Rungis, (c) Ovimpex in Rungis, (d) SNVC in Cedex, (e) Macquet in Fruges and (f) Moreville in Fruges. [47270]

Dr. John Cunningham

It is the responsibility of the French authorities to designate the premises in France which can handle ewe carcases.

Mr. Jack

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the earliest date the cull ewe trade can recommence. [47268]

Dr. John Cunningham

Under the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997, the spinal cord of older sheep must be removed in authorised abattoirs or cutting plants. This requires the carcase to be split. Exports of carcases of cull ewes can take place once all such materials (and other specified risk material) has been removed.

We have recently issued proposals for statutory consultation to amend the Regulations to allow export of ewe carcases with spinal cord intact to premises designated by the French authorities to remove the spinal cord under French domestic controls on specified risk materials. The earliest date when exports of carcases with spinal cord intact can commence is dependent on the laying before Parliament of the amending Regulations following completion of the statutory consultation period. We would expect this to be during July, subject to the consultations being concluded without issues being raised which would require further work and to Parliamentary approval.

Mr. Jack

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the meetings, together with the dates and the subjects discussed, which were held with the French Government to discuss the cull ewe trade in the context of the SRM ban. [47269]

Dr. John Cunningham

This has largely been pursued through correspondence, although the Agricultural Attaché at the British Embassy, Paris, and the Chief Veterinary Officer have been in contact with French veterinary authorities to pursue this point.