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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Waveney of 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 193, on the Cattle Health Scheme, if he will provide an update on the future of the Cattle Health Scheme. [93926] Mr. Rooker: Under new animal health trade rules agreed during the last UK Presidency of the EU Council, a case requesting designation of Great Britain as officially EBL-Free was submitted to the EU Commission in May. The Standing Veterinary Committee voted in favour of a Commission Decision granting the status to Great Britain on 2 July. It came into effect on 1 July. The Decision also retained EBL-Free status for Northern Ireland. From 1 July 1999 all herds in GB are to be regarded as officially EBL-Free unless the presence of the disease is suspected in a particular herd. The Cattle Health Scheme attests herds as being individually free of EBL, so may not be needed now that GB freedom is achieved. Officials are writing to all members of the Scheme and to the cattle industry to consult them on the future of the Scheme. The formal acknowledgement of our EBL-Free status from the EU is good news for farmers and will reduce bureaucracy. We will of course maintain controls on cattle imports in accordance with EU rules.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

336 c369-70W; 93926

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Animal welfare Cattle Diseases Disease control EU action Northern Ireland EC Agriculture Council EU Standing Veterinary Committee Enzootic bovine leukosis