HC Deb 30 November 1999 vol 340 cc183-4W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what negotiations he has had with(a) Bulgaria, (b) Latvia, (c) Lithuania, (d) Malta, (e) Romania and (f) Slovakia over lifting their bans on British beef; and if he will make a statement. [98738]

Ms Quin

The UK has approached the authorities in the six listed countries as part of a concerted campaign to lobby non-EU countries to lift their import bans, where they exist, or to agree the necessary export certification. This follows up, and builds upon, earlier approaches to key potential markets, which included Malta and Slovakia. Malta has said that they are currently maintaining their ban on the import of British beef. The other five countries listed have not so far formally responded to our approaches.

Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what negotiations he has had with(a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Estonia, (e) Slovenia and (f) Cyprus over lifting their bans on British beef; and if he will make a statement. [98737]

Ms Quin

The UK has approached the authorities in the six listed countries as part of a concerted campaign to lobby non-EU countries to lift their import bans, where they exist, or to agree the necessary export certification. This follows up, and builds upon, earlier approaches to key potential markets, which included Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Cyprus. Cyprus has said that it will permit the import of British beef. Estonia has said they are currently maintaining their ban on the import of British beef. The other four countries listed have not so far formally responded to our approaches.