Livestock (Hansard, 24 March 2004)

§ Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the slaughter-only market on(a) farms and (b) auction marts; and if she will alter her Department's ruling so that livestock may return to farm of origin with the proviso that it triggers a 20 day standstill on that farm.[162470]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
It is for market operators to take a commercial decision as to whether they choose to operate as a dedicate d slaughter market. These markets can be beneficial to auction markets because of the revenue received from livestock originating from farms that are under a movement standstill.
Dedicated slaughter markets can also be beneficial to livestock farmers because they are able to take animals there whilst their farm is under a movement standstill.
The standstill arrangements are based on a scientific Cost Benefit Analysis of the disease risks associated with various standstill lengths. I do not propose to amend the standstill regime, which represents the best available balance between minimising disease risk and the needs of the farming community to trade livestock.

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the welfare implications for suckler herds of the proposed pre-movement testing regime, with particular reference to the sufficiency of grazing to support animals retained on farm as a result of movement restrictions. [158602]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
None. Any welfare implications of this proposal will be estimated as part of the consultation process, which will involve discussions with veterinary and farming interests.

§ Mr. Paterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her best estimate is of the number of cattle movements made annually in the United Kingdom to which pre-and post-movement testing will apply. [158628]
837W

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The Cattle Tracing System in 2002 recorded approximately 2.8 million cattle movements in GB to which pre and post movement testing could apply dependent upon the option and area selected.