§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How soon they expect exports of British beef to begin following the lifting of the beef ban in November 1998. [HL1523]
§ Lord DonoughueThe November 1998 European Commission decision on the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) for British beef requires the commission to set a date from which exports can commence. The decision also requires that this date can only be set following a satisfactory Commission inspection of the UK's operational arrangements for the DBES. We have invited the Commission to undertake its inspection in the week commencing 12 April. Following the inspection we will encourage the Commission to set the start date as quickly as possible.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total number of export abattoirs which have been established to relaunch the beef export trade. [HL1525]
§ Lord DonoughueOne abattoir in Northern Ireland is approved to slaughter cattle for export under the Export Certified Herds Scheme. The Date-based Export Scheme is not yet operational. The European Commission must carry out an inspection of our procedures before setting a date on which exports may resume. We do not intend to approve plants for export until the Commission inspectors have reported on their findings.