§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to(a) her French counterpart and (b) the European Commission regarding proposals to ban beef imports into France during November. [15521]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 16 November 2001]: The European Commission are looking into the agreement on supporting the beef market in France reached by the French industry to determine whether it contravenes Community rules. A number of other member states have expressed concern at the implications of the agreement for imports into France. The UK is not directly affected since France has not implemented the European 1025W Community Decision to allow exports of British beef under the Date Based Export Scheme. The judgment of the European Court of Justice on this is expected shortly.