HC Deb 18 March 2003 vol 401 cc644-5W
Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to provide guidance to farmers on the disposal of dead livestock after 3 April. [103454]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 17 March 2003]: Guidance on the disposal of fallen stock is available from local Animal Health offices and on the Defra website. In addition, the Department will shortly be writing to livestock farmers explaining the changes to the legislation, and to provide advice as to what disposal routes are available.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that alternatives are in place for all farmers to deal with fallen stock when on-farm burial is banned. [103011]

Mr. Morley

The situation regarding Government funding in other member states is complicated. Based on data provided by each member state, the European Commission issued a paper on 20 November 2001. It showed that the level of Government support varies across the Community, with farmers in some countries paying the full cost of disposal while in others the Government or local authority provides support.

The collection and disposal industries for fallen stock have stated that there is sufficient capacity within the existing infrastructure to deal with the estimated additional quantities of fallen stock when the ban on burial comes into effect.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she collates in respect of the policy in other EU member states concerning financial support for farmers to deal with fallen stock. [103012]

Mr. Morley

The situation regarding Government funding in other member states is complicated. Based on data provided by each member state, the European Commission issued a paper on 20 November 2001. It showed that the level of Government support varies across the Community, with farmers in some countries paying the full cost of disposal while in others the Government or local authority provides support.

The collection and disposal industries for fallen stock have stated that there is sufficient capacity within the existing infrastructure to deal with the estimated additional quantities of fallen stock when the ban on burial comes into effect.