§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken towards ending the over-30-month scheme; and if he will make a statement. [91899]
§ Mr. RookerThe over-30-month scheme (OTMS) is an EU scheme, the rules of which are set by the European Commission. The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee have identified criteria against which the controls on beef over-30-months of age can be reviewed in the future and began addressing this at its meeting in March. However, the Committee recognise that this will 659W require careful study and will almost certainly need to be considered at several meetings. In the light of the Committee's conclusions, and after consultation with all interested parties, the Government will consider what changes to the OTMS (if any) could be made consistent with the continued protection of public health and which they might then recommend to the Commission for their consideration.