Written question asked by James Paice (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 March 1999. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 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 assessment he has made of the reasons given by fresh meat wholesalers and abattoir owners for their reluctance to apply for the date-based export scheme; and what steps he is taking to address those difficulties. - Inc fact that Minister has placed in Library copy of the response issued by the Dept to comments made on the consultation on our implementation of the DBES, together with a summary of those comments. (Holding answer 8 March 1999).

Answer: Mr. Paice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the reasons given by fresh meat wholesalers and abattoir owners for their reluctance to apply for the date-based export scheme; and what steps he is taking to address those difficulties. [75193] Mr. Rooker: [holding answer 8 March 1999]: The main concerns expressed about the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) by trade organisations representing abattoirs are the requirement to dedicate plants to export eligible animals and meat, and the availability of eligible animals. A small number of plants have, however, expressed interest. I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the response issued by the Department to comments made on the consultation on our implementation of the DBES, together with a summary of those comments. Our response document recognises the difficulties of complying with the DBES conditions and that the requirement for dedication is particularly onerous. However, this requirement and the rules on eligibility of animals are set down in the EC Commission Decision. I do not believe that we could have negotiated a more liberal scheme, or that Member States would be ready to consider any changes in the near future.

Secondary information