§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each of the new responsibilities which he will assume when the signed Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each(a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80420]
§ Mr. RookerThe Treaty of Amsterdam will have minimal impact on the responsibilities of the Department and its staffing. As far as EU bodies are concerned, there will be an increased role for the European Parliament, following the amendment to Article 129 of the Treaty to extend the co-decision procedure to cover measures in the veterinary and phytosanitary fields which have as their direct objective the protection of public health.