§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the costs which might be incurred by(a) intensive livestock farmers and (b) extensive livestock farmers in the collection of fallen stock in the event of a ban on hunting. [176300]
§ Alun MichaelNo estimate has been made with regard to the impact on intensive livestock farmers. However, the effect of a ban on hunting is likely to be small as hunt kennels generally do not collect fallen stock from intensive pig and poultry farms.
In relation to extensive livestock farmers, I refer the hon. Member to the estimate of extra costs given in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs in England and Wales, the Burns Report, dated June 2000.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what security standards are expected from operators and receivers of fallen stock; what checks are made on such operators; how many prosecutions there have been since the beginning of the scheme; and if she will make a statement. [185232]
§ Mr. BradshawThe fallen stock scheme is due to start in the autumn. A set of detailed terms and conditions, including strict bio security conditions, will apply to all those wishing to collect fallen stock under the scheme. Operators' premises are already subject to approval and inspection by the State Veterinary Service under the Animal By-Products Regulations, but for those 809W premises which join the scheme additional checks on compliance with scheme rules will also apply. The scheme has no legislative basis so the question of prosecutions does not arise. However, operators found not to be in compliance with scheme rules will be subject to exclusion from the scheme.