§ Mr. SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements will be put in place to allow autumn movements of livestock without spreading foot and mouth disease. [5611]
§ Margaret BeckettMy Department has had intensive discussions with a wide range of industry interests and the European Commission about this, with a view to putting a strategy in place by the end of July, to apply from 1 September onwards. In the meantime, all possible action is being taken to eradicate the disease as soon as possible.
All concerned are clear that in considering autumn livestock movements, control of foot and mouth disease and safeguarding animal welfare must continue to be our primary concerns. We are proceeding on the basis of veterinary and scientific advice. Full details will be published as soon as possible, but the arrangements for the autumn will cover the following aspects:
the possibility of holding livestock markets in counties which have been free of foot and mouth disease for three months or more and where testing has been completed;the possibility of some relaxation in the criteria covering livestock movements outside infected areas; andthe possibility of promoting the domestic consumption of lamb in particular, and of negotiating with the European Commission an early resumption of pigmeat and sheepmeat exports, while not disrupting the domestic food supply chain.We are formally asking the European Commission to introduce a Private Storage Aid Scheme for sheepmeat in the autumn and are discussing with them the possible adaptation of the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme to handle disposal of surplus lambs, and in the medium term the possible use of quota suspension or buy-out.