§ David BurnsideTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total tonnage of beef exports in Northern Ireland was in each of the last seven years. [115272]
§ Mr. PearsonThere has been only limited exports of beef from Northern Ireland in each of the last seven years. Exports of 260 and 400 tonnes were made under the Export Certified Herd Scheme in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Northern Ireland companies have either recently been approved, or are at an advanced stage leading to approval, under the Date Based Export Scheme. To date, only an insignificant tonnage of beef has been exported but it is expected that volumes will increase as new contracts are secured and more companies are fully approved in the coming months.