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AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Public Bodies

Dr. Wright: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16027]

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Mr. Boswell: The information required is as follows:


Dr. Wright: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to (a) investigation b the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16019]

Mr. Boswell: The information required is as follows:


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Food from Britain although not participating in the chartermark scheme, meets the required standards.

Dr. Wright: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests, indicating in each case if this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [16820]

Mr. Boswell [holding answer 27 February 1996]: The annual reports and accounts of the following executive non-departmental public bodies, for which my right hon. Friend is responsible, are published:


Legislation requires, in each case, that the annual report and accounts are published.

Minutes and agendas of executive non-departmental public bodies' meetings are not published. There is no statutory requirement to do so.

None of the executive non-departmental public bodies publishes a register of members' interests. There is no statutory requirement for such a register. However, details of those filling many posts are published or are available at the time of appointment. The Home-Grown Cereals Authority has drawn up a register of interests of authority members which is available for public inspection at the HGCA's offices.

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Horse and Pony Exports

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase the minimum values on the export of horses and ponies; and if he will make a statement. [16237]

Mrs. Browning [holding answer 29 February 1996]: I have no such plans.

EDS Ltd.

Ms Eagle: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those contracts his Department currently holds with EDS, indicating for each the (a) date of inception, (b) value and (c) duration. [17449]

Mr. Boswell: The Ministry currently holds no contracts with EDS. Consequently, there are no dates, values or durations to report.

Zoonoses Diseases

Mr. Gill: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases have been brought to court in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU countries for non-compliance with directive 92/117. [17180]

Mrs. Browning: Directive 92/117 requires member states to collect information on outbreaks of specified zoonoses in humans and animals and provide an annual report to the Commission on the trends and sources of the zoonotic infections recorded during the previous year. The directive also requires member states to establish measures for the testing of breeding flocks of domestic fowl numbering 250 or more birds for salmonella enteritidis or salmonella typhimurium. The requirements for testing breeding flocks are implemented in Great Britain by the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Order 1993 and in Northern Ireland by the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Scheme Order Northern Ireland 1994. Three prosecutions have so far been taken under the Great Britain order for non-compliance with its requirements. No prosecutions have been taken in Northern Ireland. The Department does not collect information on prosecutions taken in other member states.

Mr. Gill: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recommendations Her Majesty's Government (a) have made and (b) will be making regarding the review of EC directive 92/117. [17177]

Mrs. Browning: A Commission proposal for a review of directive 92/117 is under discussion by member states in Brussels but has not yet been agreed. The Government believe, however, that the control of Salmonella enteritidis and salmonella typhimurium in breeding flocks of domestic fowl is an essential element in any programme aimed at the control of these serotypes in production flocks. The Commission is familiar with the United Kingdom's views.

Mr. Gill: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what penalties there are in other EU countries for failure to comply with directive 92/117. [17181]

Mrs. Browning: The Department has not seen the implementation measures submitted to the EC Commission by other member states and has no

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information on the penalties they are applying or wish to apply in respect of the requirements set out in directive 92/117.

Mr. Gill: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many successful prosecutions have been brought under order implementing directive 92/117 in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU countries. [17179]

Mrs. Browning: Three successful prosecutions have been brought in Great Britain under the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Order 1993. The Department does not collect information on prosecutions taken in other member states.

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