§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on establishing a 90-mile limit between market and abattoir. [103061]
§ Mr. MorleyIn a written statement on 23 January 2003,Official Report, column 2OWS, announcing the Government's decision to reduce the 20 day standstill to six days, I 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.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the provision at markets of overnight lairages. [103062]
§ Mr. MorleyIn a written statement on 23 January announcing the Government's decision to reduce the 20 day standstill to six days, I stated that Defra would consult on a number of proposals aimed at improving biosecurity and disease detection, for possible introduction from 1 August,Official Report, columns 20–24WS.
The consultation exercise is now under way. One of the proposals is for a ban on animals being kept overnight at markets. We will consider carefully all the responses to the consultation paper, including any suggestions for alternative measures which might achieve the same objectives, before we reach a view on the merits of the proposals.
876Wreconvene a similar body of stakeholders shortly to review progress on illegal imports.