HC Deb 28 February 2000 vol 345 cc22-3W
Mr. Jim Murphy

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bilateral meetings were held between his Department and its Austrian counterpart in each of the last five years; and what was discussed at each meeting since May 1997. [109873]

Ms Quin

In addition to the contacts that have taken place in the regular Agriculture Council meetings, five Ministerial bilateral meetings have been held with our Austrian counterparts during the period 1995–99. The dates of these and the subjects discussed at the meetings held since May 1997, are shown in the table.

Date Subjects discussed
24 November 1999 EU enlargement
Rural development
BSE
11 September 1998 Agenda 2000/CAP reform
Agrimonetary proposals
Animal welfare
Date-based export scheme
Energy crops
Fishery control regulations
Date Subjects discussed
20 July 1998 Agenda 2000/CAP reform
Agrimonetary reform
Animal welfare
Date-based export scheme
Wine
Organic farming
Forestry protection
EU-wide SRM controls
19 November 1997 Agenda 2000/CAP reform
Preparation for UK presidency
Banana regime
BSE
Chocolate directive
Energy crops
Fisheries
12 June 1996
Nil in 1995

Mr. Jim Murphy

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those previously planned meetings, and their subject, between his Department and its Austrian counterpart which have been cancelled since the formation of the new Austrian Government. [109898]

Ms Quin

We are no longer proceeding with plans for an Anglo-Austrian seminar on rural development for applicant member states under the auspices of Technical Assistance Information Exchange (TAIEX), as a follow-up to an earlier Anglo-Austrian seminar in November 1999.