§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he estimates the European Union beef ban will be lifted. [56458]
§ Mr. RookerThe European Commission's proposal for a Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) is currently being considered by the Standing Veterinary Committee. The DBES would permit the resumption of exports of deboned beef from UK cattle born after 1 August 1996. We wish the ban to be lifted as quickly as possible and hope the scheme will be adopted by the end of the year. The export of deboned beef from certified herds in Northern Ireland has been permitted since 1 June.