§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there has been any significant change in UK live lamb and sheep prices since Farmers' Ferry Ltd. began operating a vessel carrying livestock from Dover to the continent in August 1998; and if he will make a statement. [74323]
§ Mr. RookerThere has been a significant decline in the market price of UK lamb and sheep since August 1998. A number of factors, including the volume of exports, influence these prices. Whilst the Government wish to encourage the export of sheep as meat rather then as live animals, it is likely that UK market prices would have been further depressed in the absence of competition from the live export trade.
§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to persuade farmers and exporters to replace the export of live animals with the export of meat and carcases; and if he will make a statement. [74319]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government would strongly prefer to see meat exported rather than live animals. However, two European Court judgments have made clear this is a legal trade. Our approach therefore is to ensure scrupulous application of the EU rules protecting animals in transit, and encourage other member states to do the same.