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Falkland Islands

Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he

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has had with the Argentine Government over the exploration of hydrocarbons around the Falklands Islands.[30874]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor: At a meeting on 30 January 1996 my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Argentine Foreign Minister noted the success of the joint declaration of September 1995 which established a joint commission to promote hydrocarbons development in the south-west Atlantic. Official level talks have made good progress.

European Commission (Employees)

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are currently employed in the European Commission; at what costs to public funds; what were (a) the numbers and (b) the cost in real terms five years ago; and if he will make a statement. [31178]

Mr. David Davis: The European Commission's employees totalled 16,627 in 1991, and 20,831 in 1996. The cost to the EC budget was 1,261,834,635 ecu in 1991, and 1,914,177,000 ecu has been allocated to staff costs in the 1996 budget--1,674,695,000 ecu at 1991 prices. There is no direct allocation of this sum, but the UK's contribution to the overall EC budget is approximately 12 per cent. after our abatement has been taken into account.

European Union

Mr. Dykes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will notify the European Union Council of Ministers that Her Majesty's Government will suspend forthwith the policy of non-co-operation with the other member states in respect of forthcoming decisions by the Council of Ministers.[32264]

Mr. David Davis: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 21 May, our policy of non-co-operation will continue until we have agreement on lifting the ban on beef derivatives and a clear framework in place leading to a lifting of the wider ban. The first of these objectives has now been met. We hope that the second will be met soon.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Small and Medium Businesses

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of his Department's budget was spent on procurement from small and medium enterprises in 1995-96. [27536]

Mr. Boswell: From information held centrally, some 10 per cent. of procurement expenditure was with enterprises identified as having under 200 employees. The Ministry does not at this time distinguish between small and medium-sized enterprises.

Aphis Gossypii

Mr. Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has issued on the use of chemicals to control Aphis gossypii; and if he will make a statement. [31590]

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Mrs. Browning: I have asked the chief executive of ADAS to reply to the hon. Member direct.

Letter from Phillip Needham to Mr. Ronnie Campbell, dated 12 June 1996:

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply direct to your Parliamentary Question in which you ask what advice has been issued on the use of chemicals to control Aphis gossypii.[31590]
ADAS has issued advice on recognition and control of A. gossypii to growers and the horticultural industry by individual consultation, newsletters e.g. 'Bedding Plant Technical Notes', 'Outdoor Ornamental Technical Notes' and by speaking at conferences e.g. the National Nursery Stock Conference and the National Cucumber Conference.
This aphid shows resistance to some types of pesticide. ADAS has been involved in the development of biological control strategies for A. gossypii and has held workshops for growers in order to aid the uptake and success of Integrated Pest Management. Research results have also been presented at conferences and scientific papers published.

Food Surpluses

Mr. Rooker: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on arrangements for distribution by the voluntary sector of surplus EC food to the elderly and disadvantaged. [31561]

Mr. Baldry: The EC surplus food scheme was originally established as a temporary measure to dispose of certain intervention stocks when these were high. Last November my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced, as part of the Government's expenditure plans, that the UK would permanently withdraw from participation, in line with the recommendations of the Ministry's fundamental expenditure review. That decision, among others, has enabled the Ministry to contribute fully to the Government's policy of maintaining a tight control of public expenditure.

Hedley Lomas (Ireland) Ltd.

Mr. Heppell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Minister has received a claim for damages from Hedley Lomas (Ireland) Ltd. or its livestock export consultant. [32473]

Mrs. Browning: In December 1992 Hedley Lomas (Ireland) Ltd. lodged an application for judicial review in respect of the Ministry's refusal to issue the company with a licence in accordance with the Export of Animals (Prohibition) Order 1991. That application included a claim for damages but the company has not, to date, provided particulars for the alleged losses arising as a result of the decision.

Animals (Sentient Beings)

Mr. Khabra: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference, the Government will make it their policy to argue for the re-classification of animals as sentient beings in the treaty of Rome. [32452]

Mrs. Browning: The Government have made it clear that they wish to see further progress made on animal welfare at a Community level. That is why we are seeking to have a protocol added to the treaty of Rome which will place a formal, legal obligation on Community institutions

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to give full regard to considerations of animal welfare in the exercise of their powers on agriculture, transport, research and the single market.

Pesticides (Food Labelling)

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to introduce a consumer labelling system for foods treated with pesticides that identifies the pesticides used; and if he will make a statement. [32273]

Mrs. Browning: The Government have no plans to introduce special labelling for foods treated with pesticides.

Organophosphates

Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has of the number of farmers and farm workers disabled following exposure to organophosphates; and if he will make a statement. [32454]

Mrs. Browning: The Department has information of reported suspected adverse reactions to organophosphates used in agriculture. Suspected adverse reactions involving veterinary medicines are notified to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. In the period between 1 January 1985 and 31 May 1996 a total of 681 reports involving human suspected adverse reactions to organophosphorus sheep dips and 20 involving OP warblecides were received by the VMD. Details of cases examined by the appraisal panel for human suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicines are set out in the published annual reports of the panel for 1993 and 1994, which are available in the Library of the House. Suspected adverse reactions involving pesticides are reported to the Health and Safety Executive, and my Department is informed. There were 29 cases of suspected organophosphate poisoning from pesticides in Great Britain in 1993-94 and 43 in 1994-95. "Pesticides Incidents Investigated in 1993-94/1994-95--A Report by the Fields Operations Division of the Health and Safety Executive" is also available in the Library of the House.

Ostriches

Mr. Morley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has of the number of ostriches in the UK. [32510]

Mrs. Browning: The Ministry does not collect data separately for ostriches.

Mr. Morley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions regulate the slaughter of ostriches. [32511]

Mrs. Browning: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 21 March 1996, Official Report, column 314. The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, SI 1995, No. 731, regulate the slaughter of ostriches in Great Britain. Similar legislation applies in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Morley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being conducted into humane methods of slaughtering ostriches. [32512]

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Mrs. Browning: Earlier this year, a research study of commercial ostrich slaughter practice in the Republic of South Africa was commissioned by the Ministry. In consultation with representatives of the ostrich industry and others, the findings of that study are being used to prepare guidance on humane slaughter which will be made available to ostrich producers. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House once it is completed.

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