§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what calculation she has made of the costs of the EU directive on disposal of dead stock for(a) the Government and (b) farmers; [92075]
(2) what discussions she has had with (a) the livestock industry and (b) hunts on the introduction of the EU directive on disposal of dead stock; [92076]
(3) if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the forthcoming EU Directive on disposal of dead stock. [92074]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 20 January 2003]Since April 2002, we have been involved in discussions with livestock and disposal industry stakeholders over future arrangements and funding options for disposal of fallen stock. The farming unions and the Master of the Foxhounds Association have been involved in these discussions.
I met with representatives from the farming unions and the knacker and rendering industry on 3 December 2002 to discuss a joint proposal for a National Fallen 337W Stock disposal scheme. The Government are prepared to make available the funding which it currently puts annually into collection and disposal of stock for the purposes of TSE testing into a National Scheme (nearly £30 million). However the industry must be responsible for additional funding and running of the Scheme (estimated to be around £20 million).
The livestock industry must now consider whether it wants to proceed with a National Scheme on this basis.
The Government expects farmers to comply with the new EU Directive. Those that do not can expect to be prosecuted.