Cattle Health Scheme (Hansard, 29 July 1999)

§ Lord Donoughue

Under new animal health trade rules agreed during the last UK Presidency of the EU Council, a case requesting designation of Great Britain as officially EBL-free was submitted to 223WA the EU Commission in May. The Standing Veterinary Committee voted in favour of a Commission decision granting the status to Great Britain on 2 July. It came into effect on 1 July. The decision also retained EBL-free status for Northern Ireland. From 1 July 1999 all herds in Great Britain are to be regarded as officially EBL-free unless the presence of the disease is suspected in a particular herd.

The Cattle Health Scheme attests herds as being individually free of EBL, so may not be needed now that Great Britain's freedom is achieved. Officials are writing to all members of the scheme and to the cattle industry to consult them on the future of the scheme. The formal acknowledgement of our EBL-free status from the EU is good news for farmers and will reduce bureaucracy. We will of course maintain controls on cattle imports in accordance with EU rules.