§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she intends to change the 20 day standstill rule on livestock movements in time for autumn sales. [65571]
§ Mr. MorleyNo decision will be made until the recommendations of the Royal Society and Lessons Learned Inquiries have been published. There is firm veterinary and scientific advice in support of the present 20 day standstill as a means of helping protect against the rapid spread of any new incursion of disease. We are in discussion with industry representatives about the economic impact of the present standstill rule.