Written question asked by Ralph Howell (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 November 1996. It was answered by Tony Baldry (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 November 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer: Sir Ralph Howell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for a surplus food scheme in 1997. [5465] Mr. Baldry: Yes. We intend to implement a surplus food scheme in 1997. The scheme will involve UK intervention beef only. It will be supplied in the form of canned stew steak, as was the case in 1995, and will be distributed to those on income support, family credit, jobseeker's allowance, the homeless and destitute and those living in welfare hostels. The scheme will involve up to 8,000 tonnes of beef containing no offal which will come from animals of less than 30 months of age. All this beef will have been purchased into intervention since April 1996. I hope that charitable organisations will find the surplus beef to be a help in their efforts.

Secondary information