Pig Sector (Hansard, 25 January 2000)

§ Mr. Cawsey
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the estimated cost to the pig sector is of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee's requirement to remove and dispose of offal. [105138]

§ Ms Quin:
[holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Sponigform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) has no such requirement for the pig sector. The 190W cost to the pig sector of the legal ban on using mammalian meat and bone meat in farm animal feed has been estimated by the Meat and Livestock Commission as £5.26 per pig.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants and other assistance his Department(a) gives and (b) plans to give to pig farmers outside assisted areas. [105109]

§ Ms Quin
[holding answer 17 January 2000]: Formal and informal pig farming co-operatives were eligible to apply for a marketing grant under the Agriculture Development Scheme 1999. The scheme closed for applications on 30 November 1999 and successful applications will be announced in a few weeks. My right hon. Friend the Minister has also announced his intention that pig producers will benefit significantly from an extra £5 million earmarked to help farmers improve their marketing, collaboration and competitiveness. Discussions with the industry are presently taking place on ways of making best use of the money. In addition, pig producers may be eligible for grants under the Business Link and Small Business Schemes administered by the Department of Trade and Industry.

§ Mr. Cawsey
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of his initiative to increase the level of procurement of pork and pigmeat products by Government Departments and public authorities. [105140]

§ Ms Quin
[holding answer 17 January 2000]: Following my right hon. Friend the Minister's letter to public authorities in October 1999, a number of the authorities have expressed an interest in developing a sourcing specification which would result in the purchase of product which conforms to British standards. This is being followed up by the Meat and Livestock Commission and the Minister's Meat Trade Adviser. The industry and some hon. Members, including my hon. Friend, have also become involved with the initiative.