§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 20 November; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [17454]
§ Margaret BeckettI represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture Council in Brussels on 20 November, Agriculture Ministers of the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland attended.
It was not possible to reach agreement on the main item of business, the proposed reform of the sheepmeat regime. I am disappointed with this outcome since I believe that a satisfactory outcome was close. I hope that the Council will be able to complete discussions at its next meeting.
The Council reviewed the situation in the beef and veal market and the Commission, while not proposing any new action, agreed to monitor developments closely. I supported several member states who stressed that high standards of animal welfare should be maintained when cattle are exported live from the EU; the Commission did not however accept that export refunds on this trade should be discontinued. The Council received information on the current situation with regard to action to control BSE in the member states. The Commission reported that it was examining the compatibility with EU law of recent action by the French trade in respect of beef imports from other EU members. I reminded the Council that one member state had still to lift its ban on imports of British beef.
On sheepmeat, the Commission noted that the EU's Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), which provides advice on food safety and risk management issues, had considered but not approved the further requirements that France proposed to introduce in respect of Specified Risk Material (SRM). especially spinal cord, in carcases. France was invited to supply further information for consideration by the SSC and meanwhile to defer implementation of the measures.
The Council took note of a report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the evaluation of active substances in pesticides. The Council also congratulated the Commission on the successful conclusion of the discussions on agriculture at the Doha meeting of the WTO.