§ John ThursoTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will reintroduce in areas which have been declared provisionally free of foot and mouth disease the over-30-months slaughter scheme for cattle; and if she will make a statement. [2599]
§ David MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the need to reopen the over-30-months scheme. [2573]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 5 July 2001]: The over-30-months scheme has been suspended, other than in Northern Ireland and for casualty animals in Great Britain, due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. As a consequence beef and dairy producers have had to retain eligible cattle longer than they would wish, incurring feeding and other costs and without income from scheme payments. The scheme will be reopened as soon as the processing capacity, which has been diverted to deal with the foot and mouth outbreak, can be made available to the scheme.