Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 1999. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to introduce aid for the pig industry to cover the costs of offal disposal.

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce aid for the pig industry to cover the costs of offal disposal. [103242] Ms Quin: Officials have explored the possibility of a pig offal disposal scheme with the European Commission. In principle, Community rules might permit the payment of a state aid in this area, but there appears to be no scope to frame a sensible and worthwhile scheme which satisfies the strict EU guidelines and meets the requirements of industry. The Commission will certainly not sanction any scheme which fails to meet the rules; and we could not contemplate paying an illegal aid. The rules preclude the payment of operating aids, i.e. subsidies that are simply aimed at improving the producer's position in the market.

Secondary information