HC Deb 13 March 2003 vol 401 cc364-5W
Mr. Swire

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to grant an exemption in relation to the six-day rule for animal movements for agricultural shows; [102569]

(2) what assessment she has made of the potential loss of marketing opportunities for major breeders unable to move from show to show without an exemption for on-farm isolation. [102568]

Mr. Morley

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in a written statement on 23 January 2003,Official Report, columns 20–23WS, that the standstill would be reduced to six days for cattle, sheep and goats with effect from 4 March, but with far fewer exemptions.

The removal of most of the exemptions is a counter-balance to the increased risk created by the reduction in the standstill period. The much shorter standstill should make it possible for show organisers to arrange events so that breeders and others wishing to exhibit at shows can plan their movements to comply with the rules.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the proposal to restrict cattle movements to a 96-mile radius; and what impact this will have on those farmers who move animals for finishing purposes. [102793]

Mr. Morley

In a written statement on 23 January 2003,Official Report, columns 20–24WS, announcing the Government's decision to reduce the 20-day standstill to six days, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, stated that Defra would commission further work into the possibility of imposing a distance limit on the movement of animals through markets or making such moves subject to special licences. A figure of 150 kilometres was suggested.

We will discuss this suggestion further with livestock auctioneers and the farming industry in order to obtain more information about the pattern of movements through markets and the likely impact of such a restriction before we reach a view on its merits.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the new arrangements for the restrictions upon animal movements, following the replacement of the 20-day rule, will be fully in place. [102794]

Mr. Morley

The Disease Control (Interim Measures) (England) Order 2003 and the Disease Control (Interim Measures) (Wales) Order 2003 both came into effect on 4 March 2003. The Orders reduced the 20-day standstill to six days for cattle, sheep and goats, and removed most of the previous exemptions from the standst

We intend to consult soon on a number of further proposals aimed at improving biosecurity and disease detection, for possible introduction later this year.