§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on livestock farmers who have imminent markets for animals of her Department's changes to the procedure for the issuing of movement orders by trading standards office; for what reasons the change requiring movement orders to be despatched by post was made; and what consultations were made with farmers and representative organisations prior to the change being introduced. [31511]
§ Mr. MorleyGuidance issued by DEFRA to local authority trading standard departments has not changed. It has consistently advised that licences should only be issued in hard copy form with faxed copies only being used in exceptional circumstances.