Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Monday, 21 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 March 2005. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 3 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the withdrawal of (a) the over thirty months scheme and (b) other beef subsidies on the UK beef market. - Inc ref to DEFRA website.

Answer: Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of the withdrawal of (a) the over-30-month scheme and (b) other beef subsidies on the UK beef market. [217821] Alun Michael: The information is as follows: (a) Defra commissioned a report from the MLC entitled "Impact of OTM Exit on the UK Market" which is regularly updated as market conditions change. This describes the expected impact on the market of over-30-month cattle, cattle born after August 1996 when they return to the food chain after the OTM rule is replaced by a robust system of BSE testing. (b) Defra have commissioned a number of reports examining the impact of the change in the support arrangements for agricultural production as a result of CAP reform. These are collated on Defra's website. The impact on the UK beef production industry is covered in these reports.

Secondary information