HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc943-4W
Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will apply for a derogation from the EU Animal By-Products Regulations (off-farm carcase disposal) in respect of remote areas. [57563]

Mr. Morley

We propose to derogate from the regulation to permit the burial or burning of fallen stock in defined remote areas. These will be the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the cost to the farming industry of complying with the EU Animal By-Products Regulations for off-farm carcase disposal. [57562]

Mr. Morley

Regulatory impact assessments on the Animal By-Products Regulation were placed in the Library of the House on 27 November 2000, 26 February 2001 and 4 February 2002, along with explanatory memoranda on the regulation (reference 12646/00 and 12648/00, 15438/01 and 15541/01).

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the proportion of farm businesses which have no facilities for arranging off-farm carcase disposal. [57565]

Mr. Morley

No such estimate has been made. However, we are in discussion with the livestock and disposal industries over future arrangements for the disposal of fallen stock. We hope that those arrangements will enable all farm businesses, with the possible exception of those in the defined remote areas, to have access to facilities for the off-farm disposal of fallen stock.