§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the EU Commission to allow the export of(a) breeding cattle, (b) bovine semen, (c) bovine embryos and (d) breeding sheep. [92399]
§ Mr. RookerThe export of bovine semen and breeding sheep from the UK is permitted.
We have not yet made any formal proposals to the Commission on lifting the export ban on embryos and breeding cattle. Up to now we have been concentrating our efforts on the Date-based Export Scheme which enables the resumption of British beef exports. Further relaxations in the export ban covering live cattle and embryos are steps foreseen in the Florence agreement. We need now to consider carefully, in the light of the views of the Government's scientific advisers, and in consultation with interested parties when to open negotiations on these.