§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list for dairy farmers within Shrewsbury and Atcham the average milk price in each month since 1997. [132208]
§ Mr. BradshawWe do not hold milk price information for specific areas of the UK. However, we do have national statistics for the monthly farmgate price of milk in the UK and the average monthly retail price paid by the consumer in the UK. These figures since January 1997 are as follows:
a statement on progress in United Kingdom export negotiations to free up the export market for (a) beef and (b) live cattle. [132391]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Secretary of State has discussed beef exports with Commissioner Byrne on a number of occasions, most recently on 22 September at the informal Agriculture Council at Taormina. Defra officials have also had regular meetings with the Commission officials. The Commission has sought advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on amending the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) and our methodology of scaling up testing results to support our claim that restrictions should be lifted so that the UK can trade on the same basis as other member states. An EFSA Opinion is expected in early 2004.