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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is his estimate of the number of Friesian and Holstein Friesian cows in dairy herds on United Kingdom farms.

Asked by

Christopher Gill (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

25 November 1997

Reference

301 c524W; 17810

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish the full details of the data considered by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food in coming to its conclusions that (a) the sale for drinking of raw cows' milk should be banned and (b)...

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

20 November 1997

For answer on

25 November 1997

Answered on

25 November 1997

Mr. Jack: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the full details of the data considered by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food in coming to its conclusions that (a) the sale for drinking of raw cows' milk should be banned and (b) its continued use in the production of cheese should be permitted. [17755] Dr. John Cunningham: The ACMSF considered the safety of raw cows' milk in its Report on Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) which was published in 1995. More recently, the ACMSF saw data from the 1995-96 Government-funded Surveillance of the Microbiological Safety of Raw Cows' Milk on Retail Sale. A full report on this project is currently being prepared and will be published in the joint Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Microbiological Food Safety Surveillance series. The Committee also saw data from a Public Health Laboratory Service Study of the Microbiological Quality of Retail Raw (Greentop) Cows' Milk. Publication of these results is a matter for the PHLS. The ACMSF has not recommended the continued use of raw cows' milk in the production of cheese. Rather, the Committee has recommended research and surveillance into the prevalence of O157 VTEC in a range of raw food products, including raw milk cheeses. This is under way.

Subjects

Dairy products; Food; Milk; Public Health Laboratory Service; Standard; Cheese; Untreated milk; Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food; E. coli

Date

25 November 1997

Reference

17755; 301 c522W;301 c522-3W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many people were medically affected as the result of drinking unpasteurised milk in each of the last five years.

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 November 1997

Reference

301 c355W; 17282

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish the concerns expressed to him by the Committee on the microbiological safety of food about the microbiological quality of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking.

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 November 1997

Reference

17283; 301 c355-6W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the powers available to him to ban the use of unpasteurised milk in England and Wales.

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 November 1997

Reference

17284; 301 c355W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which EU member states' farmers receive help for dairy farmers in the less favoured areas under the terms of EC Directive 75/268/EEC.

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

20 November 1997

Reference

16345; 301 c275W

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will comment on current controls on the production, use and consumption of unpasteurised milk in Scotland, giving the reasons underlying the introduction of the current policy and when the policy changed.

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

17 November 1997

Reference

16385; 301 c77W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will comment on his reasons for seeking to bring the English and Scottish policies into line on the use, consumption and production of unpasteurised milk.

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

17 November 1997

Reference

16379; 301 c21-2W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will list the numbers of cows (a) exported from Northern Ireland (b) slaughtered in Northern Ireland and sold for human consumption and (c) slaughtered and incinerated in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and in the...

Asked by

William Ross (Ulster Unionist Party)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

29 October 1997

For answer on

10 November 1997

Answered on

10 November 1997

Mr. William-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the numbers of cows (a) exported from Northern Ireland (b) slaughtered in Northern Ireland and sold for human consumption and (c) slaughtered and incinerated in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and in the current year to date. [14051] Mr. Murphy: The information requested is as follows: A. Export{1} of cows from Northern Ireland _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number 1992 456 1993 68 1994 112 1995 222 1996 {2}5,261 1997 (to date) {2}5,295 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Includes exports to GB {2} Animals exported to GB for cull under the Over Thirty Months Scheme. B. Cows slaughtered in Northern Ireland and sold for human consumption _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number 1992 64,116 1993 60,686 1994 66,206 1995 69,523 1996 16,774 1997 (to date) {1}193 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} From 29 March no animals over 30 months of age were slaughtered and used for human consumption on /SEAC advice. The 1997 figure represents animals which calved and were later slaughtered before reaching 30 months of age. C. Cows slaughtered and incinerated {1} in Northern Ireland _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number 1992 392 1993 587 1994 456 1995 222 1996 127 1997 (to date) 42 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Totals include heifers. For sake of completeness, the number of cows slaughtered and their carcasses rendered (but not yet incinerated) under the Over-Thirty-Months' Scheme: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number 1996 86,381 1997 (to date) 66,827 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Subjects

Cattle; Export; Northern Ireland; Livestock; Waste disposal; Slaughterhouses; BSE

Date

10 November 1997

Reference

14051; 300 c395-6W

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what guidelines his Department issues to those handling tissue from the nervous system of cows infected with BSE.

Asked by

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

28 October 1997

For answer on

6 November 1997

Answered on

6 November 1997

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines his Department issues to those handling tissue from the nervous system of cows infected with BSE; and if he will make a statement. [13805] Angela Eagle: Occupational exposure to the agent BSE in nervous tissue may occur during work in research laboratories, post mortem rooms and during the slaughter and disposal of infected cattle. In view of the uncertainty about the risks from BSE, prudent and precautionary worker safety measures have been recommended since 1989. Guidance has been prepared on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP). Guidance from ACDP on the health and safety requirements for laboratory and post mortem workers was published in 1994. It recommends the use of special containment conditions, safety equipment and decontamination measures for all work with BSE. General ACDP guidance for other occupational groups was published in August 1996. It recommends the maintenance of high standards of occupational hygiene when working with cattle and new methods of working to avoid or minimise exposure to tissues of cattle that may carry the agent of BSE infectivity. Copies have been deposited in the House of Commons Library. Recent evidence on the link between BSE and the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD) in humans means that BSE must now be considered a biological agent (human pathogen) within the meaning of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994. ACDP have advised that to date there is no evidence of occupational transmission of either BSE or CJD and that none of the cases of nvCJD has any obvious link with occupational exposure to BSE. ACDP consider that the existing published guidance on BSE continues to provide adequate control. The 1994 guidance is being revised and updated in any event and will be published early in 1998.

Subjects

Codes of practice; Health and safety; BSE

Date

6 November 1997

Reference

13805; 300 c280W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the total number of cows of each identifiable breed in (a) the national dairy herd and (b) the national suckler herd.

Asked by

Christopher Gill (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

4 November 1997

Reference

14178; 300 c135W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish figures to show the incidence of BSE (a) in mainland Britain and (b) in the Channel Islands among (i) Jersey cows and (ii) other breeds. - Includes tables.

Asked by

Tom Levitt (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Tabled on

24 October 1997

For answer on

27 October 1997

Answered on

27 October 1997

Mr. Levitt: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish figures to show the incidence of BSE (a) in mainland Britain and (b) in the Channel Islands among (i) Jersey cows and (ii) other breeds. [12764] Mr. Rooker: The number of confirmed cases of BSE in Jersey and non-Jersey cattle in Great Britain as at 21 October 1997 are as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number Jersey 1,472 Jersey cross breeds 147 Non-Jersey 167,640 Total 169,259 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. These figures include cases reported before the 1988 BSE order. Channel Islands authorities compile their own BSE statistics, which they supply to MAFF. My Department receives only cumulative figures of confirmed cases, the most recent being: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number As at Jersey 132 10 October 1997 Guernsey 648 19 October 1997 Alderney 2 26 June 1995 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. For logistical reasons not all suspects slaughtered on Guernsey have been subjected to laboratory confirmation of disease. Some have been confirmed solely on the basis of clinical signs.

Subjects

Channel Islands; BSE

Date

27 October 1997

Reference

12764; 299 c707-8W

House

House of Commons

The Strategic Defence Review

The strategic defence review. House of Commons Library Research Paper 97/106.

Type

Commons Briefing paper

Date

23 October 1997

Reference

RP97-106

BSE and CJD update;POST technical report,103

BSE and CJD update. POST technical report 103. POST. 1997.

Type

POSTnote

Date

1 October 1997

Reference

POST-PN-103

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What estimate he has made of (a) the backlog of cattle awaiting slaughter under the over 30 month scheme as a result of the reduction in the number of designated abattoirs and (b) the total loss to farmers through being unable to get cattle slaughtered before the new price and...

Asked by

David Curry (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

29 July 1997

Answered on

29 July 1997

Mr. Curry: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of (a) the backlog of cattle awaiting slaughter under the over-30-months scheme as a result of the reduction in the number of designated abattoirs and (b) the total loss to farmers through being unable to get cattle slaughtered before the new price and weight regime applies in August. [11252] Dr. Jack Cunningham: there is no backlog of over-30-months scheme cattle awaiting slaughter as a result of the reduction in the number of abattoirs. In the months of July and August, around 15,000 over-30-months cattle are normally slaughtered each week, and the Intervention Board has made available the capacity to handle 16,000 OTMS cattle a week in the scheme abattoirs. The reduction in the rate of compensation and the introduction of a weight limit, which are effective from 4 August, has resulted in significantly increased demand for the scheme because some farmers have brought forward their cull plans to try and benefit from the existing compensation arrangements. The Intervention Board has increased the amount of scheme slaughtering capacity by around 20 per cent. in the two weeks immediately proceeding the rate change to assist producers, and has also issued instructions to scheme abattoirs to ensure, as far as possible, that producers are treated equitably and fairly. It is inevitable that some producers will be disappointed, but it would have been self-defeating for the Government to support a reduction in the scheme rate, and at the same time, take steps to minimise the number of cattle adversely affected by it. The effect of the change in the scheme rate and the introduction of a weight restriction will reduce the return for a dairy cow weighting 560 kg by around £40, and for a suckler cow weighing 620 kg by around £80.

Subjects

Disease control; BSE

Date

29 July 1997

Reference

11252; 299 c115-6W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What proportion of cattle slaughtered under the over 30 month cattle slaughter scheme during 1997 were cull cows.

Asked by

Julian Lewis (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

28 July 1997

Reference

10161; 299 c19W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What consultations he undertook with the farming industry before imposing the recently-announced price reductions and maximum weight limit under the over 30 month cattle slaughter scheme.

Asked by

Julian Lewis (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

28 July 1997

Reference

10163; 299 c19-20W

House

House of Commons

Jay of Paddington, Baroness

Whether cows now being genetically engineered to produce human blood components are free of BSE, and how this freedom from BSE has been established.

Asked by

Lord Kennet (Labour)

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

22 July 1997

Reference

581 c159-60WA

House

House of Lords

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What estimate he has made of the percentage of the total Government expenditure relating to the BSE crisis which reaches farmers. - Inc figs.

Asked by

Colin Pickthall (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 July 1997

Reference

9540; 298 c462W;298 c460W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If he will list the (a) target and (b) performance data percentage for each of the services provided by (i) the Regional Service Centre in Exeter and (ii) the Truro office of the Regional Service Centre in each year since 1992. - Inc table.

Asked by

Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

21 July 1997

Answered on

21 July 1997

Mr. Tyler: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the (a) target and (b) performance data percentage for each of the services provided by (i) the Regional service centre in Exeter and (ii) the Truro office of the Regional service centre in each year since 1992. [9658] Mr. Morley: Performance targets were introduced for some schemes in 1993-94 in "Commitment to Service" as part of the citizen's charter arrangements. Further schemes were covered subsequently. Information on the main common agricultural policy and other schemes in the south-west region is as follows: Performance data for South West RSC (all figures shown as percentages) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Scheme Target 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 Administered from Exeter Arable Area Payments Advanced oilseed payments Scheme made by end -- 100 n/a 100 September Final oilseed -- 100 n/a 100 payments made within 60 days of publication of rate by EU Main payments made -- 100 73 99 between 16 October and 31 December Five-year Setaside Scheme Claims received by 100 100 100 100 30 September paid by 15 December Hill Livestock Compensatory Claims paid within 96 83 74 95 Allowances three months of receipt Sheep Annual Premium Scheme Final payment made 86 94 99 96 by the end of the April following scheme year (or if rate not fixed until after 1 April, within one month of public announcement of rate) Suckler Cow Premium Scheme Advanced payments -- 99 99 99 to be made within three months of scheme closing date; balance to be paid by 30 June Beef Special Premium Scheme Advanced payments -- 98 97 98 made by 15 December if retention period completed by 1 November, otherwise within six weeks of end of retention period Balance payments -- -- 99 100 made by 30 June in year following claim Applications -- 99 98 99 processed and CIDs issued within 10 working days of receipt Premium claimed -- 99 99 99 CIDs returned before end of retention period Farm Woodland Premium Applications 100 100 100 100 accepted or rejected within 1 month of receipt Scheme Claims received by 100 {1}0 100 100 1 August paid between 17 October; those received after 1 August paid within three months of receipt Environmentally Sensitive Applications: in -- 99 100 100 Areas--Dartmoor and first year Blackdown Hills{3} agreement or rejection of application six months after end of application period; for existing claims, within four months Claims: received by -- 54 95 100 1 October paid by 30 November except Stage IV claims (Blackdown Hills) received by 1 March paid by 30 April Conservation Plan -- 100 100 100 applications: accepted or rejected within three months of receipt or completion of Management Agreement (whichever is later) Conservation Plan -- 100 100 100 claims: paid within two months of receipt Administered from Truro{4} Agricultural Improvement Claims paid within 100 100 100 100 Scheme three months of receipt Farm and Conservation Applications {2}95 98 100 -- Grants Scheme (Capital accepted or rejected within four months of receipt Grants) 1991 Claims paid within {2}98 99 100 100 three months of receipt Farm and Conservation Plan Claims paid {2}-- 100 69 100 within three months of receipt Grants Scheme (Capital Non-plan claims {2}-- 99 100 43 Grants) 1989 paid within three months of receipt Environmentally Sensitive Applications: in 100 100 100 66 Areas--West Penwith first year agreement or rejection of application 6 months after end of application period; for existing claims, within four months Claims: received by 100 100 100 99 1 October paid by 30 November except Stage IV claims (Blackdown Hills) received by 1 March paid by 30 April Conservation Plan -- 100 100 90 applications: accepted or rejected within three months of receipt or completion of Management Agreement (whichever is later) Conservation Plan -- 100 100 66 claims: paid within two months of receipt _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Due to a combination of changes in FEOGA reimbursement dates and the difficulties of linkage with charter targets and payment dates, a large proportion of payments were made after target date for 1994-95. {2} Data for 1989 and 1991 schemes aggregated. {3} Not designated until 1994. {4} Performance in respect of countryside stewardship scheme and objective 5(b) is not covered by the citizens charter. n/a not available.

Subjects

Exeter; Standard; Unknown; Truro; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; MAFF regional service centres

Date

21 July 1997

Reference

9658; 298 c464-6W;298 c462-4W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If he will list the changes in the level of payment and terms for cattle entering the over 30 month scheme since its introduction. - Table given.

Asked by

Alan W Williams (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

21 July 1997

Answered on

21 July 1997

Mr. Alan W. Williams: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the changes in the level of payment and terms for cattle entering the over-30-months scheme since its introduction. [8929] Mr. Rooker: The information requested is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Basic rate in ecu/kg Sterling rate for cull Sterling rate for cull Sterling Sterling cows and bulls cows and bulls rate for rate for liveweight £/kg deadweight £/kg clean clean cattle cattle liveweight deadweight £/kg £/kg Date Cows Bulls Cows Bulls Cows Bulls 29 April 1996 1.0 0.86 1.71 1.11 2.22 18 June 1996 1.0 0.86 1.71 1.01 2.02 1 July 1996 1.0 0.83 1.66 0.98 1.96 14 July 1996 1.0 0.83 1.66 0.93 1.86 5 August 1996 1.0 0.83 1.66 1.41 0.93 1.58 1 September 1996 1.0 0.83 1.66 1.41 0.88 1.50 21 October 1996 0.9 0.75 1.50 1.28 0.80 1.36 1 November 1996 0.9 0.73 1.46 1.24 0.78 1.33 2 November 1996 0.9 0.73 1.46 1.24 0.73 1.24 1 February 1997 0.9 0.69 1.38 1.17 0.69 1.17 1 April 1997 0.9 0.67 1.34 1.14 0.67 1.14 1 July 1997 0.9 0.65 1.30 1.10 0.65 1.10 4 August 1997 0.8 0.9 0.58 0.65 1.15 1.10 0.65 1.10 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1. The sterling rate of compensation has been reduced on six occasions as a result of green pound fluctuations. 2. Compensation is fixed in terms of payments per kilogram live weight. Where cattle are not weighed live, a coefficient --of 2 for cows and 1.7 for all other cattle--is applied to the recorded dead weight. 3. A degressive top-up payment for clean cattle--heifers and steers--originally set at 25p/kg was available for the first six months of the scheme. The original top-up payment is still available for clean cattle that were over 30 months of age on 17 June 1996. 4. With effect from 25 November 1996, the minimum period during which an animal has to be present on a UK holding before becoming eligible for the scheme was increased from three months to six months. 5. With effect from 4 August 1997, payment will be limited to a maximum weight of 560 kg per animal. 6. All basic rates of payment in ecu or sterling apply to cows and bulls unless otherwise indicated.

Subjects

Compensation; Cattle; Disease; Disease control; BSE

Date

21 July 1997

Reference

8929; 298 c460-2W;298 c460W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What estimate he has made of the cost to farmers of the introduction of the weight limit on cull cattle compensation. - Inc figs.

Asked by

Colin Pickthall (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 July 1997

Reference

9542; 298 c461W;298 c459-60W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Statement on assessment he has made of the study from Oxford University on horizontal transmission of BSE, with particular regard to its relationship to stocking density. - Inc ref to paper from Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge (in Library). (DEP/3 5201).

Asked by

Martyn Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

17 July 1997

Answered on

17 July 1997

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the study from Oxford University on horizontal transmission of BSE, with particular regard to its relationship to stocking density; and if he will make a statement. [8695] Mr. Rooker: Professor Anderson, who heads the team at Oxford University, was a member of the epidemiology sub group of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) which advised Government on maternal transmission. That advice was made public through a MAFF press notice issued on 18 April 1997, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. I understand that Professor Anderson's team are shortly to publish further papers. Professor Anderson has recently been reported as saying that the higher incidents of BSE in larger herds, as compared with smaller herds, could be due to one of two factors, either: (i) greater use of concentrated cattle feed in larger herds; or (ii) horizontal transmission from cow to cow as opposed to maternal transmission which is from a cow to its own calf. Professor Anderson went on to say that he was not able, on the basis of the information available to him, to distinguish between these two hypotheses. The variation in risk according to herd size is one of a number of observations first published by scientists from the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge in the Veterinary Record in 1992. I am putting a copy of that paper in the Library of the House. The view of my own advisers is that the more likely explanation for the higher incidents in the larger herds is more intensive use of animal feed in such herds as this ties in with certain other epidemiological observations, including the fact that a number of large herds which had a high incidence of BSE have, as a result of changing feed patterns, eradicated BSE within those herds which had been free for some years. This explanation argues in favour of the feed rather than the horizontal transmission hypothesis. I must emphasise that Professor Anderson was talking about research findings not yet published and I will of course look to the independent advisory committee, SEAC, for further analysis of this work.

Subjects

Research; BSE

Date

17 July 1997

Reference

8695; 298 c277W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

By how much he plans to reduce BSE compensation payments; and what assessment he has made of the effect of this proposal on farmers who rear late developing store cattle.

Asked by

Desmond Swayne (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

10 July 1997

Reference

7321; 297 c544W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What progress his Department has made in meeting the service delivery targets set out in Commitment to Service - inc tables.

Asked by

George Turner (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

8 July 1997

Answered on

8 July 1997

Dr. George Turner: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress his Department has made in meeting the service delivery targets set out in "Commitment to Service". [7544] Dr. John Cunningham: The following table sets out the performance achieved by Regional Service Centres against the targets set in "Commitment to Service", second edition. RCS performance data percentage for financial year 1996-97 (unless otherwise specified) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Total Arable Area Payments Scheme Main payments 99 Oilseeds Advanced payments 99 Final payments 99 Beef Special Premium Scheme Advance payments (1996) 98 Balance payments (1995) 99 CID applications issued (1996) 99 Premium paid CIDs issued (1996) 99 Suckler Cow Premium Scheme Balance payments 1995 99 Advance payments 1996 99 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances Claims 1996 97 Sheep Annual Premium Scheme Claims marketing year 1996{1} 97 Agricultural Improvement Scheme Plan claims 100 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Applications 97 Claims 99 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Environmentally Sensitive Areas Conservation Plan _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Applications 97 Claims 98 Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme 1989 Plan claims 99 Non plan claims{2} 58 Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme 1991 Plan claims 97 Farm Woodland Premium Scheme Applications 94 Claims (1996) 99 Injurious Weeds Complaints 99 Pilot Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme Claims (1996) 100 New Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme Applications (1996) 93 Claims 98 Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Licence applications 99 Five Year Set Aside Scheme Claims 100 Strychnine Permits Applications 97 Agricultural Wage Inspections Complaints 91 Wildlife and Countryside Act Licence applications 98 Correspondence Answered within 10 working days 97 Complaints Numbers receiving response within 10 working days 88 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: {1} Final payments made by 30 April 1997. {2} The relatively high failure rate for F and CGS 1989 non-plan claims is due to a large number of claims being received in the month before the scheme closed, making it impossible to meet the Charter target in many cases. 1. The total percentage has been calculated by setting the entire number of applications or claims cleared within the target time, against the total number received. Applications and claims not cleared due to reasons beyond our control (incorrect information supplied by applicant, etc.) are not included as failures to meet target. 2. The Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme (1991) Plan applications, the Farm Diversification Grant Scheme (Capital Items) Claims, and the Farm Diversification Grant Scheme (Feasibility and Marketing) Claims have all been omitted from the table, as the numbers involved are de-minimis. 3. Three complaints were referred to the MAFF Adjudicator during the year. Two of these complaints were resolved, the other was referred to the Minister. One complaint from a previous year has been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and is currently under investigation.

Subjects

Government departments; Standards; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Date

8 July 1997

Reference

7544; 297 c410-1W

House

House of Commons

Welsh Office

If he will ensure that, in reviews of the Common Agricultural Policy (a) the future of Hill Livestock Compensatory allowances is safeguarded and (b) such allowances are at adequate levels to sustain the agricultural activity of the less favourite areas.

Asked by

Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru)

Answering body

Welsh Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

8 July 1997

Reference

6388; 297 c392-3W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What estimate he has made of the reduction in farmers' incomes that will result from the most recently announced reduction in the cull cow compensation rate.

Asked by

Viscount Hailsham (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

4 July 1997

Reference

6687; 297 c296-7W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What consultations he had with representatives of the farming industry before his recent announcement of a reduction in the cull cow compensation rate.

Asked by

Viscount Hailsham (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

4 July 1997

Reference

6688; 297 c297W

House

House of Commons

PAYMENTS TO BEEF FARMERS

That this House condemns the moves made by Her Majesty's Government to cut the compensation payments to beef farmers while at the same time imposing a maximum weight per animal, which adds insult to injury to farmers who have already suffered greatly; notes that since the introduction of the over...

Primary sponsor

Charles Kennedy (Liberal Democrat)

Type

Early day motion

Date

2 July 1997

Reference

199

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

How many grant applications have been processed by staff at his Department's Truro office in each year since its establishment in 1992. - Including table.

Asked by

Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

1 July 1997

Answered on

1 July 1997

Mr. Tyler: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many grant applications have been processed by staff at his Department's Truro office in each year since its establishment in 1992. [6170] Mr. Rooker: The following numbers of applications and claims have been processed at the Truro office since 1992: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Scheme 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Farms Grants{2} 1.095 1,655 1,086 687 803 60 West Penwith ESA 200 200 200 200 200 257 Countryside -- -- -- -- 888 223 Stewardship{2} Objective 5b{2} -- -- -- 116 238 135 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} To 30 June. {2} Includes applications and claims for both Devon and Cornwall. Since 1992 all applications and claims for Devon and Cornwall under the Integrated Administration and Control System, the Arable Area Payments Scheme, the Beef Special Premium Scheme, Cattle Passports, the Suckler Cow premium Scheme, the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances, the Dartmoor and Blackdown Hills ESAs and to her environmental schemes have been processed at the Ministry's Regional Service Centre at Exeter.

Subjects

Agriculture; Central government; Grants; Subsidies

Date

1 July 1997

Reference

6170; 297 c158W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To comment on the disparity in compensation for cull cattle between (a) small cattle, (b) Holsteins and (c) pedigree continental cattle.

Asked by

Colin Pickthall (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

1 July 1997

Reference

6081; 297 c156W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To comment on the future of small weight payments to cattle owners.

Asked by

Colin Pickthall (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

1 July 1997

Reference

6082; 297 c155-6W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What plans he has to alter the amount payable to farmers involved in the over 30 month cattle scheme to take account of fluctuation in the value of the green pound.

Asked by

Diana Organ (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

26 June 1997

Reference

5341; 296 c631W;296 c633W

House

House of Commons

The USA Food and Drug Administration

The USA Food and Drug Administration. House of Commons Library Research Paper 97/81.

Type

Commons Briefing paper

Date

24 June 1997

Reference

RP97-81

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If it is his policy that all cows born in a given BSE-infected cohort within a given herd, regardless of the location of subsequent rearing, should be culled in any case where one or more cows in such a cohort are culled under the selective cull scheme.

Asked by

Oliver Letwin (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

23 June 1997

Reference

3916; 296 c348W;296 c350W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

On what date the most recently born bovine animal with BSE was born.

Asked by

Anne McGuire (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

11 June 1997

Reference

3508; 295 c499W

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

If he will list the value of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments (a) in the last financial year and (b) in 1993. - Inc tables.

Asked by

Margaret Ewing (Scottish National Party)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

5 June 1997

Answered on

5 June 1997

Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the value of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments (a) in the last financial year and (b) in 1993. [1372] Mr. Chisholm: The total value of Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance (HLCA) payments made in Scotland for (a) and (b) above was as follows: Total expenditure _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ million (a) 1996-97 financial year 40.131 (b) 1993 calendar year 50.862 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The values of HLCA headage payment rates in each of the scheme years which relate to the 1993 calendar year and the 1996-97 financial year are as follows: Headage rates _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Scheme year 1993 £ 1996 £ 1997 £ _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Severely disadvantaged LFA land _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Non-HIE Specially qualified flock 6.50 5.75 5.75 Qualified flock 3.60 3.00 3.00 Hill cow 63.30 47.50 97.50 HIE Specially qualified flock 7.14 6.39 6.39 Qualified flock 3.60 3.00 3.00 Hill cow `A' grade land 66.35 50.55 103.76 `B' grade land 74.89 59.09 121.29 `C' grade land 79.16 63.36 {1}130.05 Disadvantaged LFA land Sheep 2.86 2.65 2.65 Cow 31.65 23.75 69.75 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1}Awaiting EU approval.

Subjects

Agriculture; Scotland; Subsidies; Hill livestock allowances

Date

5 June 1997

Reference

1372; 295 c229-30W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Statement on what action is being taken to recover overpayments of aid to beef producers based on premium claims in 1996.

Asked by

Terry Lewis (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

5 June 1997

Reference

2690; 295 c228-9W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What evidence he has evaluated on the incidence of BSE-related conditions in animals other than cattle. - Inc table.

Asked by

Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

2 June 1997

Answered on

2 June 1997

Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has evaluated on the incidence of BSE-related conditions in animals other than cattle. [9] Mr. Rooker: The following table gives the number of confirmed Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) cases in animals other than cattle in Great Britain as at 30 April 1997. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Species Number of cases Ankole cow 2 Bison 1 Cheetah{1} 3 Domestic cat 77 Eland 6 Gemsbok 1 Kudu 6 Nyala 1 Ocelot 2 Oryx (Arabian) 1 Oryx (scimitar horned) 1 Puma 3 Tiger{2} 1 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Plus two litter mates that died in zoos abroad. {2} Plus another positive but clinically normal. Until November 1994, with the exception of BSE and scrapie, none of the other TSEs were notifiable. On the other hand, the Government believe that most cases of TSE have been reported to Agriculture Departments and epidemiological investigations have been carried out where possible. With respect to exotic ruminants, risk of infection was primarily associated with consumption of feed, often produced for cattle, which contained meat and bone meal (MBM). With respect to exotic felines and domestic cats, the risk was considered to be associated with consumption of central nervous system tissue which could legally be fed to them until it was banned in September 1990. No cases of TSE have been found confirmed in canines, although a case of spongiform encephalopathy in a Norwegian dog showing a spongiform change in the brain is under investigation. This is not yet confirmed and speculation about its origin delayed until results are available.

Subjects

BSE; Transmissible encephalopathies

Date

2 June 1997

Reference

9; 295 c100W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What financial assistance he plans to provide to beef farmers in Shropshire during the period that the European beef ban remains in force.

Asked by

Paul Marsden (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

2 June 1997

Reference

1064; 295 c102W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What evidence his Department has evaluated of TB being transmitted from badgers to cattle.

Asked by

Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

22 May 1997

Answered on

22 May 1997

Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence his Department has evaluated of TB being transmitted from badgers to cattle. [1058] Mr. Rooker: References for the evidence that has been evaluated are as follows. Evidence considered Benham, P. (1985). The inter-relationships between cattle and badger behaviour and farm husbandry practices and their relevance to the transmission of Mycobacterium bovis. MAFF. Cheeseman C. L. & Mallinson, P.J. (1979). Handbook on Biotelemetry and Radio-tracking. Edited by C. J. Amlaner and D. W. Macdonald. Pergammon Press, Oxford. Cheeseman, C. L., Wilesmith, J. W. & Stuart, F. A. (1989). Tuberculosis, the disease and its epidemiology in the badger, a review. Epidemiology and Infection 103, p.113-125. Clifton-Hadley, R. S., Wilesmith, J. W & Stuart, F. A. (1993). Mycobacterium bovis in the European badger (Meles meles): Epidemiological findings in tuberculour badgers from a naturally infected population. Epidemiology and Infection 111, p. 9-19. Clifton-Hadley, R. S., Wilesmith, J. W., Richards, M.S., Upton, P. & Johnston. S. (1995). The occurrence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in and around an area subject to extensive badger (Meles meles) control, Epidemiology and Infection 114, p. 179-193. Dunnet, G.M., Jones, D.M. & McInerney, J.P. (1986). Badgers and Bovine tuberculosis--Review of Policy. HMSO, London. Francis, J. (1947). "Bovine tuberculosis",. Staples Press, London 220 pp. Gallagher, J. & Nelson, J. (1979). Causes of ill health and natural death in badgers in Gloucestershire Veterinary Record 105, p.546-551. Griffin, J.M. (1993). The role of bought-in cattle in herd breakdowns due to tuberculosis in part of county Cavan during 1989. Irish Veterinary Journal 46, p.143-148. Griffin, J.M. & Dolan, L.A. (1995). The role of cattle-to-cattle transmission of Mycobacterium bovis in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in cattle in the Republic of Ireland--A Review. Irish Veterinary Journal 48(6), p.228-234. Hancox, M. (1995). The great badgers and bovine TB debate. Biologist 42, p.159-161. Jubb, K.V.F., Kennedy, P.C & Palmer, N. (1985). Pathology of Domestic Animals. 3rd ed. New York and London: Academic Press. 2: p. 493-504. Little, T.W.A., Naylor, P.F. & Wilesmith, J.W. (1982a). Laboratory studies of Mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers and calves. Veterinary Record 111, p. 550-557. Little, T.W.A., Swan, C., Thompson, H.V. & Wilesmith, J.W. (1982b). Bovine Tuberculosis in domestic and wild mammals in an area of Dorset. Parts I, II & III. Maddock, E.C.G. (1933). Studies on the survival time of the bovine tubercle bacilli in soil, soil and dung, in dung and on grass. Journal of Hygiene Cambridge 33: p. 103-117. Maddock, E.C.G. (1936) Experiments on the infectivity for healthy calves of bovine tubercle bacilli discharged in dung upon pasture. Journal of Hygiene 36: p. 594-601. McFadyean, J. & Knowles, R. (1915). The diagnosis of tuberculosis in cattle by inoculation of guinea pigs with antiformined faeces. Journal of Comparative Pathology 28: P. 107-146. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (September 1984). A Review of Bovine Tuberculosis in Great Britain. Monaghan, M.L., Doherty, M.L., Collins, J.D., Kazda, J.F. & Quinn, P.J. (1994). The tuberculin test. Veterinary Microbiology 40, p. 111-124. Muirhead, R.H., Gallagher, J. & Burn, K.J. (1974). Tuberculosis in wild badgers in Gloucestershire: Epidemiology. Veterinary Record 95, p.552-555 Neal, E. & Cheeseman, C.L. (1996) "Badgers" published by T. & A.D. Poyser Ltd. (ISBN 0-85661-082-8). Neil, S.D., Hanna, J., O'brien, J.J. et al. (1988). Excretion of Mycobacterium bovis by experimentally infected cattle. Veterinary Record 123(13): p. 340-343 Neill, S.D., Hanna, J., Mackie, D.P. et al (1992) Isolation of Mycobacterium bovis form the respiratory tracts of skin test-- negative cattle. Veterinary Record 131, p.45-47. Neill, S.D., Cassidy, J., Hanna, J. et al. (1994). Detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in skin test-negative cattle with an assay for bovine interferon-gamma. Veterinary Record 135, p. 134-135. Stamp, J.T. (1944). A reviw of the pathogenesis and pathology of bovine tuberculosis with special reference to practical problems. Veterinary Record, 56, p.443-446. Stamp, J.T & Wilson, A. (1946). Veterinary Record. 58, p.11-15. Stenhouse-Williamson, R & Hoy, W.A. (1930). The viability of B. tuberculosis (Bovinus) on pasture land, in stored faeces and in liquid manure. Journal of Hygiene (Cambridge) 30: p.413-419. Wilesmith, J. W. & Williams, D.R. (1986) Tuberculosis lesions in reactor cows Veterinary Record 119 (2), p.51. Zuckerman, Lord. (1980) Badgers, Cattle and Tuberculosis. HMSO, London. My officials have also visited the Republic of Ireland to consider a study conducted in East Offaly. A further independent scientific review is currently under way, under the chairmanship of Professor John Krebs.

Subjects

Badgers; Bovine tuberculosis

Date

22 May 1997

Reference

1058; 294 c167-9W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What incidence of BSE-related contamination in dairy products has been reported to his Department in each of the last three years; and if he will publish such reports.

Asked by

Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 May 1997

Reference

40; 294 c99W

House

House of Commons

E. coli foodborne disease

E. coli foodborne disease. House of Commons Library Research Paper 97/63.

Type

Commons Briefing paper

Date

13 May 1997

Reference

RP97-63

Deposited Paper Dep/3 4938

Letter from Baroness Denton of Wakefield to Jim Dowd MP on selective BSE cull and suckler cow premium. DANI. 1997.

Deposited by

Department of Agriculture (NI)

Type

Deposited paper

Date

12 May 1997

Reference

Dep/3 4938

House

House of Commons

Cloning

Cloning. House of Commons Library Research Paper 97/43.

Type

Commons Briefing paper

Date

27 March 1997

Reference

RP97-43

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If he intends to remove the remains of the cattle buried at Rowley for disposal by incineration and what steps he is taking to ensure the BSE-infected cows buried at Rowley do not contaminate the water supply. (Holding answer 17 March 1997).

Asked by

Gordon Prentice (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 March 1997

Reference

292 c952W; 20417;20418

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

For what reasons the Rowley landfill site was selected for the burial of BSE-infected cows and how many BSE-infected cows are buried at the Rowley landfill site near Burnley. (Holding answer 17 March 1997).

Asked by

Gordon Prentice (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

21 March 1997

Reference

292 c951-2W;292 c951W; 20419;20420

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

What have been the costs of the BSE crisis in Scotland to public funds. - Inc table. (Holding answer 28 February 1997).

Asked by

Andrew Welsh (Scottish National Party)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

19 March 1997

Answered on

19 March 1997

Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the costs of the BSE crisis in Scotland to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [18005] Mr. Raymond S. Robertson: [holding answer 28 February 1997]: The Government's concern has been to provide support in a way which benefits all parts of the beef chain and enables a recovery of market confidence. The current estimates of the extra amounts paid out as a result of the BSE crisis in Scotland to the industry under the following schemes to 31 December 1996 are as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ million Beef special premium and suckler cow premium schemes: top-ups 16.6 Beef marketing payment scheme 7.0 Over-30-months scheme: producers payments 65.9 slaughter and rendering fees 13.5 Calf processing scheme 2.6 Slaughtering industry (emergency aid) scheme 1996 10.0 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Also, in the period 1 April 1996 to 31 December 1996, the EU agreed to accept 10,901 tonnes of beef into intervention from Scotland at an estimated buying-in cost of around £22 million.

Subjects

Expenditure; Scotland; BSE

Date

19 March 1997

Reference

18005; 292 c662W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What action his Department took to revoke the licence for the use of avoparcin as an in-feed antibiotic in dairy cows after the Council of Ministers declined to add it to Annex 1 of Directive 70/524/EEC and on what dates.

Asked by

Martyn Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

18 March 1997

Answered on

18 March 1997

Mr. Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department took to revoke the licence for the use of avoparcin as an in-feed antibiotic in dairy cows after the Council of Ministers declined to add it to annexe 1 of directive 70/524/EEC and on what dates; and if he will make a statement. [20751] Mrs. Browning: As a result of concerns expressed by Denmark and Germany, in July 1995 the Council of Ministers decided not to support the entry of avoparcin into annexe 1 of directive 70/524/EEC for use in feed for dairy cows and member states were requested to withdraw project licences. We did not do so as the independent scientific Veterinary Products Committee--VPC--which advises the Government, had been satisfied that the criteria of safety, quality and efficacy had been met for avoparcin, and because the Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition--SCAN--was examining evidence submitted by the Danes and the Germans in support of their bans on avoparcin as a feed additive for all species. SCAN concluded that on the basis of science the evidence presented did not establish a risk to human health, animal health or the environment. The VPC welcomed the SCAN report and its conclusions but expressed some concern about the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics as additives in animal feed and over the misuse of antibiotics. However, at the December 1996 Standing Committee on Animal Nutrition the Commission proposal banning the use of avoparcin as an additive to animal feed was agreed. We will therefore be implementing the ban and revoking existing product licences by the 1 April 1997 deadline.

Subjects

Cattle; Animal feed; Additive; Antibiotic; Licensing; EU law; Food; Avoparcin

Date

18 March 1997

Reference

20751; 292 c560W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If avoparcin was licensed as a feed additive in the rations of non-lactating cows prior to the introduction of the Beef (Emergency) Control Order 1996.

Asked by

Martyn Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

18 March 1997

Reference

20752; 292 c560W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What is his estimate of the chance and confidence intervals for cattle developing BSE that their dam would have had BSE; and if he will break down the results to indicate the impact of whether the calf was (a) first born, (b) second born, (c) third born and (d) a...

Asked by

David Hinchliffe (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

17 March 1997

Reference

18203; 292 c373-4W;292 c374W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the use of (i) virginiamycin, (ii) zinc bacitracin, (iii) bambermycin, (iv) spiramycin and (v) avoparcin in lactating cows; and what representations he has received on their use.

Asked by

Martyn Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

11 March 1997

Reference

19289; 292 c204-5W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If he will comment on the use of growth promoting antibiotics in lactating cows.

Asked by

Martyn Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

11 March 1997

Reference

19290; 292 c204W

House

House of Commons

Welsh Office

What is his Department's total estimated expenditure on agriculture, fisheries and food in Wales in the current financial year; and how much of this expenditure was funded by payments made from the European Union.

Asked by

Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru)

Answering body

Welsh Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

10 March 1997

Reference

18616; 292 c37W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Supplementary on Germany exporting meat from cows more than 30 months old including the offal.

Asked by

Richard Alexander (Conservative)

Oral question - 1st Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

6 March 1997

Reference

291 c1010-1

House

House of Commons

Ferrers, Earl

What research into the design, operation and location of incinerators for the large-scale cremation of cows has been initiated by the Government through Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution or elsewhere; and what is the cost. - Includes figure.

Asked by

Lord Thomson of Monifieth (Liberal Democrat)

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

4 March 1997

Reference

578 c127WA

House

House of Lords

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If producers who have cattle slaughtered under the selective cull scheme will be able to claim suckler cow and beef special premium and hill livestock compensatory allowances for those cattle slaughtered in the retention period for those payments. - (Holding answer 24 February 1997).

Asked by

Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

28 February 1997

Reference

17397; 291 c398-9W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What were the (a) number and (b) species of the zoo animals in which spongiform encephalopathy has been confirmed between 1988 and the present time. - Inc table.

Asked by

Eric Martlew (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

19 February 1997

Answered on

19 February 1997

Mr. Martlew: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the (a) number and (b) species of the zoo animals in which spongiform encephalopathy has been confirmed between 1988 and the present time. [16129] Mrs. Browning: The following table gives the number of confirmed transmissible spongiform encephalopathy cases in animals kept in zoological collections in Great Britain as at 1 February 1997{1}: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Confirmed cases shown by year of clinical onset or year of Species confirmation 1986 Nyala 1987 Gemsbok 1988 {1}-- 1989 Oryx (Arabian) Kudu, Eland 1990 Kudu 1991 Eland(3), Kudu 1992 Puma, Kudu(3), Cheetah, Oryx (scimitar horned) 1993 Cheetah{2} 1994 Ocelot, Eland 1995 Puma(2), Eland, Tiger(2) 1996 Ocelot, Bison _________________________________________________________________________________________________. It is not possible to provide the data by date of confirmation or to give details of suspect cases which were not subsequently confirmed as central records are not compiled in this way. Furthermore, there was no statutory requirement to report diagnosis of a spongiform encephalopathy other than BSE or scrapie until November 1994. MAFF would not therefore have been informed of suspect cases for which laboratory examination proved to be negative. To provide the information in the way requested could be done only at disproportionate costs. {1} Two cases in Ankole cows were recorded in the BSE statistics for cattle for 1991. {2} Two further cheetahs were confirmed in foreign zoos, having been born and infected in a British zoo.

Subjects

Zoos; Transmissible encephalopathies

Date

19 February 1997

Reference

16129; 290 c634W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

How many cases of spongiform encephalopathy have been (a) suspected and (b) confirmed in each of the last 10 years, broken down by species. - Inc tables of available figs.

Asked by

Eric Martlew (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

19 February 1997

Answered on

19 February 1997

Mr. Martlew: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of spongiform encephalopathy have been (a) suspected and (b) confirmed in each of the last 10 years, broken down by species. [16223] Mrs. Browning: The following table gives the number of suspected and confirmed cases of BSE in Great Britain as at 7 February 1996. The cases before 21 June 1988 are recorded by date of clinical onset of disease and the cases thereafter are recorded by date of restriction: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Suspected{3} Confirmed{4} 1986 {2}-- 7 1987 {2}-- 435 1988 2,516 2,469 1989 8,447 7,137 1990 17,323 14,181 1991 30,009 {5}25,032 1992 44,846 36,682 1993 42,931 34,370 1994 30,261 23,944 1995 17,946 14,298 1996 10,688 {1}7,323 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Incomplete data. {2} BSE not a notifiable disease prior to 21 June 1988, details of suspect cases not available. {3} Suspects Restricted--Only cases showing clinical signs suspicious of BSE are placed under restriction. Some suspects reported by owners will not on close examination justify service of restriction. No central records are kept of such cases. {4} BSE Confirmed--The figures are significantly in arrears of restriction as there will inevitably be a delay in examining the brains, and some animals placed under restriction in 1996 will not yet have been slaughtered. {5} Includes two Ankole cows in zoos recorded as normal BSE cases. The following table gives the number of suspected and confirmed cases of scrapie in Great Britain as at 18 February 1997. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Suspected Confirmed 1986 {1}-- 156 1987 {1}-- 179 1988 {1}-- 215 1989 {1}-- 246 1990 {1}-- {2}348 1991 {1}-- {2}989 1992 {1}-- {2}666 1993 492 327 1994 291 199 1995 220 163 1996 {2}339 209 1997 {4}35 -- _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Details of suspect cases unavailable. Scrapie became a notifiable disease on 1 January 1993. {2} Figures are distorted because payments were offered for cases between October 1990 and August 1992 when brain pools were being assembled for rendering experiments. {3} Some results due. {4} All results due. The following list gives the number of confirmed cases of feline spongiform encephalopathy by year of confirmation in Great Britain as at 1 February 1997: 1990: 12 1991: 12 1992: 10 1993: 11 1994: 16 1995: 8 1996: 6 Information on cases in other species is recorded in the answer to the hon. Member's other question about zoo animals.

Subjects

BSE; Transmissible encephalopathy; Scrapie; Feline spongiform encephalopathy

Date

19 February 1997

Reference

16223; 290 c635-6W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

How many cattle have been slaughtered to date under the Over Thirty Months Scheme; and what is the average amount per cow paid in compensation to farmers. - Inc table.

Asked by

Alan W Williams (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

18 February 1997

Reference

15486; 290 c511-2W

House

House of Commons

Update of BSE and CJD

Update of BSE and CJD. House of Commons Library Research Paper 97/27.

Type

Commons Briefing paper

Date

14 February 1997

Reference

RP97-27

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

When his Department first received evidence of the possibility that cows from Wyke Farms of Somerset were a source of Salmonella Gold Coast infection. - Epidemiological evidence first linked an outbreak of Salmonella gold coast to the consumption of cheese produced at Wyke Farms on 14 December 1996. (Holding answer...

Asked by

Eric Martlew (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

12 February 1997

Reference

11793; 290 c200W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

What assessment he has made of the benefits to the United Kingdom of the attendance of the Royal Yacht `Britannia' at Cowes; how many days the yacht has attended Cowes in each of the last 10 years. - Table given. (Holding answer 10 February 1997).

Asked by

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

10 February 1997

Answered on

10 February 1997

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the benefits to the United Kingdom of the attendance of the royal yacht Britannia at Cowes; how many days the yacht has attended Cowes in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [14509] Mr. Soames: [holding answer 10 February 1997]: In the last 10 years Britannia has spent the following number of days at Cowes: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Number of days 1987 0 1988 6 1989 7 1990 6 1991 7 1992 8 1993 7 1994 9 1995 8 1996 8 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Britannia's attendance at Cowes has continued the traditional royal patronage of this event, and contributed to the growth of this prestigious international regatta. This in turn benefits the local community around Cowes, in addition to the yachting industry.

Subjects

Festivals and special occasions; HMY Britannia

Date

10 February 1997

Reference

14509; 290 c1-2W

House

House of Commons

Suckler Cow Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1997

SI 1997/249 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 28 February 1997.

Type

Statutory instruments

Date

7 February 1997

Reference

SI 1997/249

House

House of Lords; House of Commons

Scottish Office

What proportion of suckler cow premium payments in Scotland for the current year had been paid by 1st January 1997. - Inc fig. (Holding answer 3 February 1997).

Asked by

Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

6 February 1997

Reference

13939; 289 c689W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office

What proportion of suckler cow premium payments in Northern Ireland for the current year had been paid by 1st January 1997. - Inc figs (holding answer 3 February 1997).

Asked by

Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

5 February 1997

Reference

13941; 289 c656W

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper Dep/3 4559

Survey of cows' milk from farms in the vicinity of potential sources of dioxins. MAFF. 1997.

Deposited by

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Type

Deposited paper

Date

4 February 1997

Reference

Dep/3 4559

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What proportion of suckler cow premium payments in England for the current year had been paid by 1st January 1997.

Asked by

Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

3 February 1997

Reference

13940; 289 c516W

House

House of Commons

Welsh Office

What proportion of suckler cow premium payments in Wales for the current year had been paid by 1st January 1997.

Asked by

Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Welsh Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

3 February 1997

Reference

13938; 289 c519W;289 c519-20W

House

House of Commons

Welsh Office

If he will comment on measures taken to help the beef sector since 1992. - Inc figs and table.

Asked by

Rod Richards (Conservative)

Answering body

Welsh Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

3 February 1997

Answered on

3 February 1997

Mr. Richards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on measures taken to help the beef sector since 1992. [13945] Mr. Jonathan Evans: The package of reforms to the common agriculture policy agreed in 1992 provided for the introduction in 1993 of the beef special premium scheme and suckler cow premium scheme. These schemes have injected £164.4 million into the beef sector in Wales since 1 January 1993. Following the statement by my right hon. Friend on 20 March 1996, the Government have committed £3.5 billion to support the industry in the UK, over four years, on the following measures in response to the BSE crisis: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Scheme Payments in Wales Beef marketing payments scheme 1 £1.27 million (paid early October 1996) Beef marketing payments scheme 2 Estimated £1.6 million to be paid Slaughtering industry (emergency aid) scheme £622,863 paid to Welsh abattoirs Beef stocks transfer scheme £312,494 paid to Welsh participants (to 24 January 1997) Beef special premium supplementary payments £4.47 million paid to date Suckler cow premium supplementary payments £4.1 million paid to date Over thirty months scheme --{1} Calf processing scheme --{1} Selective cull --{1} Clean beef top up --{1} Beef and beef products disposal service --{1} Animal feed disposal service --{1} Intervention support --{1} Aid to the rendering industry --{1} _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Not disaggregated from United Kingdom total

Subjects

Agriculture; Wale; Subsidies; Beef

Date

3 February 1997

Reference

13945; 289 c522W

House

House of Commons

Compliance cost assessment on the Suckler Cow Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1994. MAFF. 1994.

Type

Impact assessment

Date

3 February 1997

Reference

MAFF

Ministry of Defence

How many nights the Royal Family spent on the Royal Yacht in 1995-96 and when; and where the yacht was at the time. - Table given.

Asked by

Alan Williams (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

31 January 1997

Answered on

31 January 1997

Mr. Alan Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many nights the royal family spent on the royal yacht in 1995-96 and when; and where the yacht was at the time. [13402] Mr. Soames: The information requested is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Date Location Number of nights 1995 19-21 March Simons Town and Capetown 2 24-25 March Durban 1 31 May to 2 June Falmouth, Pembroke Dock and Avonmouth 2 12-13 June Portsmouth 1 28 July to 2 August Cowes 5 4-13 August Western Isles 10 18-19 August London 2 Total 23 1996 15 March Palm Beach 1 24-27 June Douglas, Belfast Portrush and Londonderry 3 5-8 July Marchwood Falmouth and Portsmouth 3 11-12 July Amsterdam 1 2-17 August Cowes Western Isles 15 Total 23 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Subjects

Royal family; HMY Britannia

Date

31 January 1997

Reference

13402; 289 c432-3W

House

House of Commons

SLAUGHTER OF NEWLY BORN CALVES

That this House is opposed to the Calf Processing Aid Scheme, under which over ??100 is paid for each male dairy calf and ??128 for each male beef calf which is slaughtered when it is less than 21 days old; notes that this scheme has nothing to do with eradicating...

Primary sponsor

Lord Stratford (Labour)

Type

Early day motion

Date

30 January 1997

Reference

472

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

If he will list the (a) dates, (b) destinations, (c) duration, (d) passengers and (e) cost of the Royal Yacht `Britannia's' last 10 voyages. - Includes list of voyages and reference to 289 c200W for total annual running since 1990. (Holding answer 28 January 1997).

Asked by

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

30 January 1997

Answered on

30 January 1997

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) dates, (b) destinations, (c) duration, (d) passengers and (e) cost of the royal yacht Britannia's last 10 voyages; and if he will make a statement. [13223] Mr. Soames: [holding answer 28 January 1997]: The information requested is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Date Location Royal family member(s) embarked/engagement 1995 19-20 June Rendsburg, Germany TRH the Duke and Duchess of Kent embarked 19 June 20-23 June Kiel TRH the Duke and Duchess of Kent disembarked 21 June 26-27 June Dundee Commercial event HRH the Prince of Wales embarked 26-27 June 29 June Portsmouth 26 July-2 August Cowes HRH the Duke of Edinburgh embarked 28 July-2 August 4-14 August Western Isles HM the Queen embarked 4 August HRH the Duke of Edinburgh embarked 7 August Royal visit to Oban--7 August 14 August Aberdeen HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh disembarked 14 August 16-21 August London HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family embarked 18-20 August 22 August Portsmouth 28-29 September Gibraltar Routine visit/fuel 3-9 October Piraeus Commercial events 13-20 October Palma, Balearic Islands Informal visit 23-27 October Lisbon, Portugal Commercial events 30 October Portsmouth 1996 20-21 February Devonport Sea training 27-28 February Ponta Delgada Routine visit/fuel 6-9 March Bermuda Informal visit/fuel 12-17 March Palm Beach HRH The Duke of Edinburgh embarked 13-17 March 18-20 March Savannah Commercial events 22-26 March Baltimore, USA Commercial events 28 March-8 April Boston, USA Commercial events HRH The Duke of York embarked 31 March-2 April 15-22 April Toronto, Canada Commercial events 26-27 April Halifax, Canada Routine visit/fuel 3 May Ponta Delgada Routine visit/fuel 7 May Portsmouth 22-24 June Douglas HRH the Prince of Wales embarked 24 June 25 June Belfast Royal visit 26-27 June Londonderry HRH the Prince of Wales disembarked 27 June 29 June Portsmouth 5 July Marchwood HM the Queen Mother embarked 6-7 July Falmouth Royal visit 8-10 July Portsmouth HM the Queen Mother disembarked 8 July 11-14 July Amsterdam, The Netherlands HRH the Duke of Kent embarked 11-12 July 15 July Portsmouth 31 July-7 August Cowes HRH the Duke of Edinburgh embarked 2-7 August 7-17 August Western Isles HM the Queen embarked 7 August HRH the Duke of Edinburgh embarked 12 August Royal visit to Stranraer--10 August 17 August Aberdeen HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh disembarked 17 August 19 August Portsmouth _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Information on the marginal costs of individual deployments could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 28 January, Official Report, column 200, for the total annual running costs for Britannia since 1990.

Subjects

Costs; HMY Britannia

Date

30 January 1997

Reference

13223; 289 c345-7W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

How many confirmed cases of BSE there have been in each country in the European Community; and what assessment he has made of the likely country of origin of BSE.

Asked by

Alan W Williams (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

29 January 1997

Reference

12775; 289 c281W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What are the possible mechanisms for cow to calf transmission of BSE; and what assessment he has made of the most likely route.

Asked by

Alan W Williams (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

29 January 1997

Answered on

29 January 1997

Mr. Alan W. Williams: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the possible mechanisms for cow to calf transmission of BSE; and what assessment he has made of the most likely route. [12776] Mrs. Browning: Whether or not maternal transmission occurs is still open to question. The final results of the cohort study, for which preliminary results were published in August 1996, will shortly be presented to the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. It is clear however that if maternal transmission does occur it does so only infrequently. To try to establish which tissues might be involved in maternal transmission, blood, constituent parts of placenta, embryos, uterine washings and milk were inoculated into mice. In separate experiments, milk was also fed to mice. None proved to be infectious. In another experiment, calves were fed the homogenised placentae of infected cows as this was considered, by extrapolation from known evidence for sheep scrapie, to be the most likely route of transmission. The exposed calves survived without developing clinical BSE for seven years, and have recently been killed so that their tissues can be examined for the presence of infectivity. Finally, another large experiment is assessing the role of the embryo itself in transmitting disease. Embryos collected from infected, and clinically affected, cows were implanted into surrogate dams imported from New Zealand, and the surviving calves and their surrogate dames remain under observation in order to determine whether they succumb to BSE. That experiment will not end however until 2001, when the youngest calf reaches seven years of age. Under the circumstances, the most likely routes of transmission from cow to calf have already been examined. Should it prove necessary however, following interpretation of the cohort study, some or all of these options will be revisited as advised by SEAC.

Subjects

Cattle; Disease; Disease control; BSE

Date

29 January 1997

Reference

12776; 289 c280-1W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

If he will list the duties performed by the Royal Yacht `Britannia' during Cowes week in each of the last five years; and what was total cost to public funds of royal yacht Britannias presence at Cowes week in each of last 5 years. - Figures not given. Includes ref...

Asked by

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

28 January 1997

Reference

289 c200W; 13228;13227

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

If (a) hill livestock compensatory allowances, (b) beef and (c) suckler cow premium payments will be paid to those producers who will no longer be able to meet the animal retention conditions of those schemes due to the requirements of the over thirty months scheme or the selective cull.

Asked by

Andrew Welsh (Scottish National Party)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

27 January 1997

Reference

12644; 289 c71W

House

House of Commons

Genetically modified food

Genetically modified food. House of Commons Library Research Paper 97/8.

Type

Commons Briefing paper

Date

20 January 1997

Reference

RP97-8

Scottish Office

When he proposes to pay the 1996 suckler cow premiums.

Asked by

Lord Maclennan of Rogart (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

15 January 1997

Reference

9744; 288 c277W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What has been the total number of cases reported to his Ministry of BSE in cattle imported from the Netherlands since January 1996, by month.

Asked by

Charles Hendry (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

13 January 1997

Reference

9845; 288 c155W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If he will list the (a) antibiotics and (b) other antimicrobial substances currently licensed for use in the (i) feed and (ii) water of (x) dairy cows and (y) other lactating ruminants, indicating the date of license. - Inc table.

Asked by

Martyn Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

18 December 1996

Answered on

18 December 1996

Mr. Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the (a) antibiotics and (b) other antimicrobial substances currently licensed for use in the (i) feed and (ii) water of (x) dairy cows and (y) other lactating ruminants, indicating the date of licence; and if he will make a statement. [9193] Mrs. Browning: Information on antibiotics and other antimicrobial substances currently licensed for use in the feed and water of dairy cows and other lactating ruminants is listed. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Active ingredient Date first licence issued Procaine Penicillin 22 December 1971 Amoxycillin 6 February 1984 Ampicillin 11 June 1974 Cefquinome 8 November 1993 Ceftiofur 30 December 1991 Cephalexin 16 July 1991 Cefoperazone 5 June 1985 Cefuroxime 7 April 1987 Cephacetrile Sodium 20 October 1985 Cloxacillin 11 June 1974 Cephalonium 1 January 1992 Chlortetracycline 29 March 1985 Oxytetracycline 22 December 1971 Apramycin 2 September 1992 Framycetin Sulphate 24 September 1974 Neomycin Sulphate 8 November 1973 Spectinomycin 15 October 1992 Streptomycin Sulphate 6 August 1973 Erythromycin 29 March 1985 Tilmicosin 14 September 1988 Tylosin 31 August 1972 Florfenicol 13 December 1994 Sulphadimidine 6 June 1973 Sulphamethoxypyridazine 6 January 1989 Enrofloxacin 6 February 1991 Danofloxacin mesylate 22 January 1993 Marbofloxacin 10 February 1995 Benzathine Penicillin/Procaine Penicillin 4 April 1985 Amoxycillin/Clavulanic Acid 11 December 1986 (potassium cluvulante) Dihydrostreptomycin/Streptomycin 1 September 1982 Baquiloprim/Sulphadimidine 20 November 1991 Trimethoprim/Sulphadiazine 30 September 1982 Trimethoprim/Sulfadoxine 23 April 1990 Trimethoprim/Sulfatroxazole 3 July 1989 Trimethoprim/Sulphachlorpyridazine 13 November 1988 Neomycin/Streptomycin 20 October 1983 Procaine Penicillin/Dihydrostreptomycin 29 March 1985 Procaine Penicillin/Neomycin 29 March 1985 Ampicillin/Cloxacillin 14 August 1980 Chloretracycline HC1/Dihydrostreptomycin 29 March 1985 Chlortetracycline/Dihydrostreptomycin/Neomycin Sulphate 29 March 1985 Dihydrostreptomycin/Procaine Penicillin 29 March 1985 Framycetin/Dihydrostreptomycin 29 March 1985 Framycetin/Procaine Penicillin 29 March 1985 Novobiocin/Procaine Penicillin 23 March 1979 Benzyl Penicillin/Neomycin/Procaine Penicillin 27 June 1991 Benzyl Penicillin/Dihydrostreptomycin/Nafcillin 26 August 1976 Neomycin/Procaine Penicillin Streptomycin 29 March 1985 Dihydrostreptomycin/Neomycin/Novobiocin/ 29 March 1985 Procaine Penicillin Dihydrostreptomycin/Nafcillin/Procaine Penicillin 26 August 1976 Neomycin/Procaine Penicillin 29 March 1985 Avoparcin 9 October 1972 Bacitracin Zinc 1 September 1972 Bambermycin 29 April 1987 Spiramycin 1 September 1972 Virginiamycin 1 February 1983 Monensin Sodium 16 November 1973 Active ingredient Cattle Sheep Other species Legal category Procaine Penicillin X X POM Amoxycillin X X POM Ampicillin X X POM Cefquinome X POM Ceftiofur X POM Cephalexin X X POM Cefoperazone X POM Cefuroxime X POM Cephacetrile Sodium X POM Cloxacillin X X POM Cephalonium X POM Chlortetracycline X POM Oxytetracycline X X Deer POM Apramycin X X POM Framycetin Sulphate X POM Neomycin Sulphate X X POM Spectinomycin X X POM Streptomycin Sulphate X X Goats POM Erythormycin X POM Tilmicosin X POM Tylosin X POM PML Florfenicol X POM Sulphadimidine X POM Sulphamethoxypyridazine X X POM Enrofloxacin X POM Danofloxacin mesylate X POM Marbofloxacin X POM Benzathine X X POM Penicillin/Procaine Penicillin Amoxycillin/Clavulanic Acid X POM Dihydrostreptomycin/Streptom X X POM ycin Baquiloprim/Sulphadimidine X POM Trimethoprim/Sulphadiazine X X POM Trimethoprim Sulfadoxine X POM Trimethoprim/Sulfatroxazole X X POM Trimethoprim/Sulphachlorpyri X POM dazine Neomycin/Streptomycin X POM Procaine X X POM Penicillin/Dihydrostreptomyc in Procaine Penicillin/Neomycin X X POM Ampicillin/Cloxacillin X POM Chloretracycline X POM HC1/Dihydrostreptomycin Chlortetracycline/Dihydrostr X POM eptomycin/ Neomycin Sulphate Dihydrostreptomycin/Procaine X POM Penicillin Framycetin/Dihydrostreptomyc X POM in Framycetin/Procaine X POM Penicillin Novobiocin/Procaine X POM Penicillin Benzyl X POM Penicillin/Neomycin/Procaine Penicillin Benzyl X POM Penicillin/Dihydrostreptomyc in/Nafcillin Neomycin/Procaine X POM Penicillin/Streptomycin Dihydrostreptomycin/Neomycin X POM / Novobiocin/Procain Penicillin Dihydrostreptomycin/Nafcilli X POM n/Procain Penicillin Neomycin/Procaine Penicillin X X POM Avoparcin X X PML Bacitracin Zinc X X PML Bambermycin X PML Spiramycin X X Goats PML 2/ POM /4 Virginiamycin X PML Monensin Sodium X PML _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Subjects

Cattle; Animal feed; Additive; Licensing; Antimicrobials

Date

18 December 1996

Reference

9193; 287 c644-6W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What additional assistance he has provided to beef producers during the last six months. - Inc figs.

Asked by

Lord Hardy of Wath

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

16 December 1996

Reference

9040; 287 c437W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Pursuant to his Answer of 6th November, Official Report, column 581W, if he will list the ages of confirmed BSE cases in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1995, in the categories, (a) under two years, (b) two to three years of cows at slaughter aged typically six to seven years, (c)...

Asked by

David Hinchliffe (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

2 December 1996

Answered on

2 December 1996

Mr. Hinchcliffe: Mr. Hinchcliffe:To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 6 November, Official Report, column 581, if he will list the ages of confirmed BSE cases in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1995, in the categories, (a) under two years, (b) two to three years of cows at slaughter aged typically six to seven years, (c) three to four years, (d) four to five years, (e) five to six years, (f) six to seven years, (g) seven to eight years, (h) over eight years and (i) age unknown. [5599] Mrs. Browning: [holding reply given on 26 November 1996]: The following table details the number of confirmed BSE cases reported in Great Britain in 1995 and 1996 by age. It includes estimated ages. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Age 1995 1996{1} Under 2 0 0 2-3 10 7 3-4 483 217 4-5 1,784 1,144 5-6 3,521 1,247 6-7 3,265 1,280 7-8 3,174 912 8 and over 1,548 1,146 Unknown 513 236 Total 14,298 6,189 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} This data is incomplete because of the time lapse between report and confirmation. It has not been possible to provide the data requested in the second part of (b) as it is unclear precisely what is required.

Subjects

Cattle; Diseases; BSE

Date

2 December 1996

Reference

5599; 286 c526W;286 c524W

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

What steps he is taking to effect payment of 1996 sheep annual premium, suckler cow premium, hill livestock compensatory allowances and arable aid payments to farming enterprises currently determining their separate business status.

Asked by

Lord Maclennan of Rogart (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

2 December 1996

Reference

7215; 286 c560-1W;286 c558-9W

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

Which regulations affect the eligibility of farming enterprises currently determining their separate business status to receive payments of sheep annual premium, suckler cow premium, hill livestock compensatory allowances and arable aid payments.

Asked by

Lord Maclennan of Rogart (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

2 December 1996

Reference

7214; 286 c560W;286 c558W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What research his Department has undertaken into the effect of organophosphate warble fly dressing on cattle.

Asked by

Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

25 November 1996

Answered on

25 November 1996

Mr. Hanson: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has undertaken into the effect of organophosphate warble fly dressing on cattle. [461] Mrs. Browning: All veterinary medicines, including warble fly treatments, are assessed against statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy, including the safety of the target animal concerned. The Government are advised on this by the independent scientific veterinary products committee. Manufacturers are required to produce their research as part of the authorisation process for their products and my Department does not undertake nor fund any such research. The use of organophosphorus compounds as insecticides, particularly during the campaign to eradicate warble fly, has been claimed either to cause BSE or to render cows susceptible to BSE. The original epidemiological investigation considered any possible association between the use of agricultural chemicals, including OP insecticides, and the occurrence of BSE. None was found. The only positive correlation found was in relation to the use of animal feed which contained ruminant protein in the form of meat and bone meal. MAFF has not undertaken any research on the suggested link between BSE and organophosphates. The independent Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee has considered the OP theory and concluded that it fails to explain a number of key facts about BSE. It, too, has concluded that there is no justification to extend the current transmissible spongiform encephalopathies research to include the OP theory. A study was carried out by the toxicology unit of the Medical Research Council to test whether an OP could bind to "normal" prion protein--an essential prerequisite for the development of BSE, according to the OP theory. The scientists conducting the experiment concluded that there was no evidence of binding. This experiment was conducted by the MCR with its own funds and although MAFF was informed we had no part in its design.

Subjects

Cattle; Drug; Product; Safety; Research; BSE; Organophosphate; Veterinary medicine; Warble fly

Date

25 November 1996

Reference

461; 286 c96-7W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Under what provisions he ordered abattoirs to take 75 per cent. of cull cows and 50 per cent. of clean cattle from livestock markets.

Asked by

Elliot Morley (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

15 November 1996

Reference

4254; 285 c382W

House

House of Commons

Welsh Office

If he will list (a) the methods by which compensation has been directed to farmers in Wales since the onset of the BSE crisis, (b) the level of expenditure in Wales under each of these headings and (c) the amount of each expenditure item in Wales that is recoverable from...

Asked by

Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid Cymru)

Answering body

Welsh Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

12 November 1996

Answered on

12 November 1996

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (a) the methods by which compensation has been directed to farmers in Wales since the onset of the BSE crisis, (b) the level of expenditure in Wales under each of these headings and (c) the amount of each expenditure item in Wales that is recoverable from the European Union. [3393] Mr. Hague: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 July 1996, Official Report, columns 532-33. Subsequent to that reply, additional expenditure has been agreed as follows: Approximately £160 million from EU funds for direct support to UK beef producers. Over £100 million--of this, £10.46 million in Wales--has already been disbursed through supplementary payments to the beef special premium and suckler cow premium schemes and through the beef marketing payments scheme. Some £89 million from national funds for direct support to UK beef producers. £60 million of this sum has been earmarked for distribution to eligible cattle producers under the 1997 hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme. £16.6 million for extra cold storage capacity to help reduce the backlog of animals awaiting slaughter under the over-30-month scheme. Disaggregated levels of expenditure for Wales are not held by the Intervention Board Executive Agency which is responsible for running the majority of BSE-related schemes in the UK. A detailed breakdown of the latest BSE expenditure forecasts will be given in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's forthcoming Budget statement.

Subjects

Compensation; Farmer; EU grants and loan; Wales; BSE

Date

12 November 1996

Reference

3393; 285 c208W

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

What has been the total expenditure to date on the BSE eradication and compensation schemes. - (Holding answer 6 November 1996).

Asked by

Baroness Michie of Gallanach (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

12 November 1996

Reference

2163; 285 c153W

House

House of Commons

Welsh Office

What representations he has received relating to problems faced by Welsh farmers in obtaining access to local slaughterhouses.

Asked by

Martyn Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Welsh Office

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

1 November 1996

Reference

456; 284 c294W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

How many casualty dairy cows were slaughtered in each month of 1995 and 1996. - Inc table.

Asked by

Nick Ainger (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

30 October 1996

Reference

912; 284 c180W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What estimate he has made of the number and percentage of herds in the United Kingdom which are closed. - Includes figures.

Asked by

Gordon Prentice (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

16 October 1996

Reference

37389; 282 c937W;282 c935W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What steps he will take to ensure that smaller beef producers are not made bankrupt by the present BSE eradication arrangements; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which beef producers are making a loss when steers are marketed. - Includes figure. (Holding answer 22 July 1996).

Asked by

Lord Hardy of Wath

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

16 October 1996

Answered on

16 October 1996

Mr. Hardy: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to ensure that smaller beef producers are not made bankrupt by the present BSE eradication arrangements; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which beef producers are making a loss when steers are marketed. [38096] Mr. Baldry: [holding answer 22 July 1996]: I am fully aware that current market prices for all beef cattle are substantially lower than those at the same time last year and am conscious of the enormous strain this has put on beef producers. The Government agreed a package of addition support measures for beef producers at the June Agriculture Council worth some £110 million in the UK. Most of the money, some £81 million, is being paid as supplements under the beef premium schemes. A large proportion of the income of beef producers comes from suckler, cow premium, beef special premium and HLCA payments. Increases in these payments are therefore reducing the impact of lower cattle prices on producers incomes. Over 90 per cent. of claimants will have already received their supplements. The remainder will be paid by early October. The Government have also arranged for beef producers to receive 80 per cent. rather than the normal 60 per cent. rate of advance payments under the beef premium schemes from 1 November. This should ensure additional funds are in the pockets of beef producers in the crucial autumn period. In addition, some £29 million has been made available under the 1996 beef marketing payment scheme. This money is being distributed to beef producers according to the number of adult clean cattle--including steers, heifers and young bulls--sold in the period 20 March to 30 June (inclusive) for slaughter for human consumption. The application period for this scheme closed on 23 August and payment will be at a flat rate of £66.76 per eligible animal. The first payments under this scheme began earlier this month and it is hoped they will be completed by 15 October. While the measures that I have outlined should relieve some of the financial pressures currently facing the beef industry, they are not designed as compensation for the fall in market prices. They are market support measures designed to ensure the survival of the industry. In the longer term, we would hope that as public confidence increases and the market adjusts to the situation, the incomes of beef producers will gradually recover.

Subjects

Compensation; Agriculture; Cattle; Subsidy; BSE; Beef; Suckler cow premiums; Beef premiums

Date

16 October 1996

Reference

38096; 282 c934-5W;282 c932-3W

House

House of Commons

BSE cull policies and the disease;POST technical report,85

BSE: cull policies and the disease. POST technical report 85. POST. 1996.

Type

POSTnote

Date

1 October 1996

Reference

POST-PN-85

Report from the Commission to Council on the application of the individual producer limits in the annual ewe and suckler cow premium schemes. Sent to Council 9.9.96.

European material produced by EU institutions

Date

29 September 1996

Reference

EC CONS DOC 9876/96;

Sheep Annual Premium and Suckler Cow Premium Quotas (Amendment) Regulations 1996

SI 1996/1939 (Negative instrument). Coming into force 15 August 1996.

Type

Statutory instruments

Date

24 July 1996

Reference

SI 1996/1939

House

House of Lords; House of Commons

Reasons for and objectives of the European Parliaments temporary committee of inquiry into mad cow disease - to investigate alleged contraventions or maladministration in the implementation of Community law in relation to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Agence Europe Document 1996.

European material produced by EU institutions

Author

European Parliament

Date

23 July 1996

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If, under the accelerated slaughter scheme, compensation for cattle slaughtered will be to the value of a replacement heifer of the same breed and standard of the culled cow.

Asked by

Gordon Prentice (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

Date

22 July 1996

Reference

36837; 282 c21W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

What progress his Department has made in meeting service delivery targets set out in Commitment to Service. - Inc table.

Asked by

Nigel Waterson (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written question

Status

Answered

For answer on

19 July 1996

Answered on

19 July 1996

Mr. Waterson: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress his Department has made in meeting service delivery targets set out in "Commitment to Service".[39008] Mr. Douglas Hogg: The table sets out the performance achieved by regional service centres against the targets set in "Commitment to Service", second edition. RSC performance data (percentage) for financial year 1995-96 unless otherwise specified _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Total{1} Arable area payments scheme{2} Payments 86 Beef special premium scheme{3} Advance payments (1994) 97 Balance payments (1994) 99 Applications (1995) CID return 99 Claims (1995) CID Return 99 Suckler cow premium scheme Balance payments 1994 99 Advance payments 1995 99 Hill livestock compensatory allowances{4} Claims 1995 83 Sheep annual premium scheme{5} Claims marketing year 1995 99 Agricultural improvement scheme Plan claims 94 Environmentally sensitive areas Applications 99 Claims 99 Environmentally sensitive areas conservation Applications 97 plan Claims 96 Farm and conservation grant scheme 1989 Plan claims 99 Non plan claims 99 Farm and conservation grant scheme 1991 Plan applications 100 Plan claims 99 Farm diversification grant scheme (capital Claims 100 items) Farm diversification grant scheme Claims 100 (feasibility and marketing) Farm woodland premium scheme Applications 96 Claims 99 Injurious weeds Complaints 99 Pilot nitrate sensitive areas scheme Claims 100 Nitrate sensitive areas scheme Applications 96 Claims 99 Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Licence applications 93 Five year set aside scheme Claims 100 Short term lettings Applications 95 Strychnine permits Applications 99 Agricultural wages Complaints 100 Wildlife and Countryside Act Applications 95 Correspondence 95 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Nine complaints were received by the MAFF adjudicator, all of which were resolved. {1} The total percentage has been calculated by setting the entire number of applications or claims cleared within the target time against the total number received. Applications and claims not cleared due to reasons beyond our control--such as incorrect information supplied by applicant--are not included as failures to meet target. {2} The failures resulted from unforeseen administrative complexities in checking all claims to the exacting standards required under the integrated administration and control system--IACS--rules. {3} The period covered is January to December 1995. {4} The period covered is November 1994 to June 1995. The high number of failures was due to the payment round being initially delayed due to the regulation coming into force later than usual and because of problems with the digitisation of less favoured area land from 1994 IACS records which required the manual checking of over 35,000 individual fields. {5} Final payments made by 30 April 1996.

Subjects

Agriculture; Administrative delay; Standard; Subsidies; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Date

19 July 1996

Reference

39008; 281 c702-4W

House

House of Commons