§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the outstanding issues requiring resolution in order to satisfy(a) the Standing Veterinary Committee, (b) the Commission, (c) the Council of Ministers and (d) other bodies directly involved in the process of the lifting of the ban on Northern Ireland beef exports, to the extent that they will support a recommendation to approve the Northern Ireland Certified Herd-Scheme; and when he expects the matter to go before the Council of Ministers. [31910]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 27 February 1998]: At the Standing Veterinary Committee on 4 March, ten member states supported the Commission's proposal for the Export Certified Herds Scheme. One member state abstained, pending further clarification of technical concerns, while supporting the principle of resuming exports under the arrangements laid down in the Florence Agreement. Four member states remain concerned about the controls governing eligibility for the scheme despite the fact that it had the Commission's full support. Because the proposal was not adopted by qualified majority, it has been referred to the Agriculture Council for a decision on 16–17 March.