§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the approximate total market value of animals killed because of foot and mouth disease; and what the total paid in compensation was; [24392]
(2) what was the total cost of valuations for animals culled in the foot and mouth epidemic that were in excess of perceived market value. [26023]
§ Mr. MorleyThe levels of compensation paid to farmers whose animals were culled as a result of foot and mouth was determined in accordance with schedule 3 to the Animal Health Act 1981. Most valuations were made by independent valuers appointed by DEFRA who were instructed to determine the market value of culled livestock and the remainder were based on standard values published by the Department. The total paid in statutory compensation for slaughtered animals is £1,079,500,000.
The Department has not published an assessment of the total market value of animals killed because of FMD. The statistics which the Department will publish in "Agriculture in the UK" in March 2002 will show the impact of FMD on the value of the industry's assets.
§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sheep have been slaughtered since the last case of foot and mouth was diagnosed in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [27621]
§ Mr. Morley5,780 sheep have been slaughtered since the last case of foot and mouth was diagnosed in the United Kingdom on 30 September 2001. These sheep1028W came from 21 flocks (2,067 from one premises) and were culled as dangerous contacts as a result of returning sero-positive blood samples.
Note:
Figures subject to revision as more data become available.
Source:
DCS database as at 16 January 2002.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much meat from countries where foot and mouth disease is present was imported into the United Kingdom in 2001; and if she will list the countries involved. [27892]
§ Mr. MorleyThe table details UK imports of meat from FMD susceptible species1 between January and November 2001 from countries where FMD is present.
1 Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and reindeer
Product/country Total (tonnes) Meat of bovine animals and sheep1 Argentina 5,453 Botswana 10,258 Brazil 75,680 Namibia 7,538 South Africa 282 Swaziland 15 Zimbabwe 4,581 Total—meat and meat products (bovine and sheep) 103,807 1 There were no imports of pigmeat, goatmeat or reindeer meat from the specified countries between January and November 2001 European Community legislation permits the importation of meat from certain countries where FMD is present but only where the disease is restricted to specific areas. Imports are permitted either from parts of the country that are free of disease or under strict conditions that ensure the meat does not come from any animal that may have come in contact with FMD before, during or after slaughter.
All meat imported from third countries must be accompanied by veterinary certification. This must confirm that the meat is derived from animals which have been subjected to a veterinary inspection during the 24 hours prior to slaughter and showed no signs of FMD.
All meat imported into the UK from third countries must enter at designated UK border inspection posts (BIPs) where it is subject to veterinary inspections.
§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that extra costs associated with the showing of animals, and precautions against foot and mouth disease, will not be passed on to county shows. [28812]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 21 January 20021: Responsibility for taking the necessary biosecurity measures, to ensure that shows can be conducted without increased risk of disease spread, will rest with the organisers and participants.
§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if agricultural shows will remain exempt from the 20 day standstill period imposed as a result of foot and mouth disease unless the foot and mouth disease situation deteriorates. [28811]
1029W
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 21 January 2002]: Detailed arrangements for agricultural shows are currently being drawn up. Essentially the 20 day standstill will not be triggered provided that the animals attending shows are individually identified and kept in isolation before and after each one.