§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions she has had with the European Commission on the continuation of the OTMS scheme; [14788]
(2) what time limit has been set for the continuation of the over-30-months cattle scheme. [14792]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 15 November 2001]: It is the Government's intention to review the over-30-month scheme (OTMS) in light of any changes to the over-30month rule. The rule will be reviewed by the Foods Standard Agency when a sufficient sample of cattle has been tested for BSE and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) is expected to reconsider existing guidance in the new year. Changes to the scheme would need to be agreed with the European Commission and other member states if amendments to Commission Regulation (EC) No. 716/96, under which the scheme operates, are required.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered under the Over 30 Months Cattle Scheme in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001. [14794]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 16 November 2001]: The total numbers of cattle slaughtered under the scheme for the years in question are shown in the table.
975W
Total scheme throughput 1997 847,409 1998 895,278 1999 970,125 2000 972,751 20011 459,606 1 To 31 October 2001
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the over-30-months cattle scheme in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001. [14793]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 15 November 2001]: The total cost of the over-30-months cattle scheme for the years in question are detailed in the table. The second column shows the total amount of compensation paid to producers. The third column shows the total cost of the scheme including compensation payments.
£million Year Total compensation paid to producers Total cost of the scheme including compensation 1997–98 288 432 1998–99 264 380 1999–2000 265 394 2000–2001 240 358 2001–20021 44 81 1 To 30 September 2001