§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the Scottish Executive concerning the French ban on UK beef since the Barcelona Summit. [45818]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 25 March 2002]: None. However, the Scottish Executive wrote to the Secretary of State on 13 March about remarks made by the new French Minister of Agriculture. The Secretary of State wrote to the French Minister and to the Commission on 15 March. The Commission wrote to the French Government on 20 March seeking observations on France's failure to comply with the ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). This is the first state in a process which may lead to a further ECJ case against France.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to promote the export of beef and beef products. [43035]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 14 March 2002]: The promotion of exports of beef and beef products is primarily the responsibility of the Meat and Livestock 827W Commission (MLC), a non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by DEFRA. DEFRA's International Relations and Export Promotion division liaises closely with the MLC concerning the promotion of exports of British meat, livestock and genetics and the MLC is participating in a number of DEFRA's overseas trade fair stands, missions and other events this year. DEFRA chairs a Beef Exports Liaison Group which includes exporters and the MLC and which will be meeting on 16 April to discuss the best way of promoting beef exports once the trade resumes.