§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to introduce(a) reforms to the way in which veterinary surgeons are nominated to carry out pre-export inspections of farm animals and (b) new guidelines as to how such inspections should be conducted; and if he will make a statement. [67937]
§ Mr. MorleyWe are actively working to finalise the new procedural guidelines and administrative arrangements, together with proposals on the charges livestock exporters would need to pay. Introduction of the proposed new charging arrangements would require the adoption of a statutory instrument, and the timing of this would be influenced by the devolution arrangements for Scotland and Wales.