Cattle Health Scheme (Hansard, 11 March 1999)

§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)

During the last UK Presidency of the EU Council, agreement was reached on changes to animal health trade rules. The new rules allow the UK to apply for official freedom from enzootic bovine leukosis for Great Britain, and we intend to do so. this will benefit farmers and will reduce public expenditure.

The Cattle Health Scheme attests herds as being individually free of enzootic bovine leukosis, so will not be needed once Great Britain freedom is achieved. We will continue to run the scheme for the time being and review its future in September. Officials are writing to all members of the scheme to let them know the position.