§ 22. Mr. BercowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has held with pig farmers' representatives in the last month to discuss the state of the industry. [142359]
§ Mr. Nick BrownMy ministerial team and I have between us held or attended seven meetings involving pig farmers or their representatives since the beginning of November. Principal among the topics discussed have been: the pig industry restructuring scheme, which has now received full EU Commission approval and is open to both outgoers and ongoers; and the recent outbreak of classical swine fever in East Anglia, where I am pleased to say the final area movement restrictions affecting commercial pig operations were lifted this week. Producers will also have been heartened by the ending of the export ban on live pigs from Norfolk and Suffolk at midnight last night. I am sure the House will want to join with me in paying tribute to Jim Scudamore, the chief veterinary officer, his staff and the state veterinary service and their administrative colleagues for their sterling efforts in controlling the disease, for representing the 329W national interest so effectively at EU and wider international level, and for responding so swiftly to the many practical problems which the outbreak created.