HC Deb 12 January 2004 vol 416 cc492-3W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the European Commission regarding further derogation from the Animal By-products Regulation 2003. [147001]

Mr. Bradshaw

The United Kingdom, along with all member states, has recently submitted information on the application of the EU Animal By-products Regulation (1774/2002) to the European Commission, including difficulties faced by operators.

In the light of these comments, the Commission may decide that certain provisions will need to be amended if it is clear that similar issues are occurring in several member states.

We are also in discussion with the Commission regarding a number of supplementary proposals relating to the Animal By-products Regulation.

Judy Mallaber

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, of 10 December 2003,Official Report, column 1173, whether the database of animal by-product premises will be available on her Department's website early this year. [147091]

Mr. Bradshaw

We are currently in the process of compiling the database of animal by-product premises with the intention of placing a list of approved premises on the Defra website. In the interim period this information can be obtained from local Defra animal health offices (who issue the approvals).