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Cartagena Protocol

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on the ratification of the Cartagena Protocol on exports of genetically modified crops. [118030]

Margaret Beckett: The Government regard the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety as an important international agreement governing the handling and movement of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Once in force, it will provide a common basis for all countries of the world to take informed decisions about imports and exports of any GMOs that may affect wildlife and natural habitats. Most of the UK's obligations under the Protocol have been, or are being, implemented at European Community level. The Community legal framework for the Protocol is expected to be completed later this month with the adoption of measures governing exports of GMOs. Adoption of these measures will demonstrate that the UK is fully able to meet its obligations under the Protocol and will enable the necessary national ratification procedures to be completed shortly thereafter.

Cod Stocks

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the recent report of the International Council for the Exploration of the sea on the level of cod stocks in the North Sea, Kattegat, the Irish Sea and waters to the west of Scotland, measured against minimum recommended levels; and if she will make a statement. [120660]

Mr. Bradshaw: The report explains that the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea was able to refer to new preliminary assessments for Irish Sea and West of Scotland cod but that these have yet to be properly reviewed by ICES. For the North Sea and Kattegat there was no new assessment, but some, again preliminary, indications of the abundance of pre-fishery young cod. The report concludes overall that there is no change in the perception of the stocks concerned, and they are all below recommended precautionary levels. We will take close account of this and all emerging

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scientific information in discussions on the Commission's recent proposals for further cod recovery measures.

Fallen Stock

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment has been made of the cost-effectiveness of the new proposals for fallen stock collection compared with traditional methods of disposal, with particular reference to disposal of carcases through locally based incineration; [120950]

(2) what plans the Government has to incorporate existing local operators of fallen stock disposal facilities in the new scheme; [120951]

(3) where the facilities for collection and disposal of carcasses under the fallen stock scheme devised in response to the EU Animals By-product Regulations are based. [121081]

Mr. Bradshaw: In light of the low response rate from livestock farmers to the letter inviting interest in a national scheme, the Government are now considering whether the scheme should go ahead, and if so in what form.

The Department has not made any specific assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the proposed national fallen stock scheme against existing collection/disposal routes such as incineration.

However, the industry estimate that with full utilisation of the scheme economies of scale would mean the costs of carcase collection could be 40 per cent. lower than is currently the case for adult cattle, and 60 per cent. lower than for adult sheep.

The proposed national fallen stock collection and disposal scheme would be open to existing approved collection/disposal facilities, such as knackers' yards, hunt kennels, incinerators and rendering plants, although other operators could, provided they comply with the relevant legislation, also participate in such a scheme.

Officials have arranged for a list of those premises which are currently approved by the Department to collect/dispose of animal by-products such as Fallen Stock, to be placed in the Library of the House.

Note:

Not all Hunt Kennels collect and/or dispose of Fallen Stock.

Local Food Chains

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what regulatory provisions local authorities can be exempted from EU procedures on purchasing in order to encourage greater use of local food chains. [121571]

Alun Michael: Public contracting authorities, including local authorities, must comply in full with UK public procurement regulations when awarding contracts for the supply of food. The regulations implement EU Directives on procurement that are designed to ensure that public sector contracts are awarded following transparent competitions that do not unfairly exclude suppliers from outside the UK. Even

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when the values of contract requirements fall below the thresholds for applying the Regulations the European Treaty prohibits the public sector from demanding local food. Discriminating on grounds of nationality is strictly prohibited under any circumstance.

It is a common misconception that the EU Directives work against local producers and growers. There are legitimate ways and means for public contracting authorities to increase the opportunities that local producers have for competing for public sector contracts. One of the most effective measures is to ensure that the quality of food specified takes into account food production and processing standards that result in safe, healthy nutritious food and ensure that adverse environmental impacts are reduced as much as possible. More detailed guidance on stimulating the demand and supply of local produce can be found in Defra's Action Sheet at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/sustaim/procurement/index.htm

Marine Stewardship Council

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Scottish Fisheries Authorities regarding the extension of her Department's Marine Stewardship Council grants scheme to Scotland; and if she will make a statement. [117810]

Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 9 June 2003]: I understand that the Scottish Executive will consider grants under the European Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance towards Marine Stewardship Council fisheries accreditation.

Nitrogen Dioxide (Airports)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were exposed to nitrogen dioxide in excess of European Union limits at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted, (d) Manchester and (e) Luton airports, in each of the last five years. [121248]

Mr. Bradshaw: We do not collect data for the number of people exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels in excess of the EU limit value, which has to be achieved by 2010, at the above-mentioned or any other airports.

Local authorities have a statutory duty under the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the local air quality in their area against the air quality objectives for seven pollutants prescribed in regulations, including nitrogen dioxide for the purpose of local air quality management. The majority of local authorities have set up their own air quality monitoring sites and where they identify through modelling and monitoring that it is unlikely that the air quality objectives will be met by the relevant deadline, the local authority must designate an air quality management area and produce an action plan setting out the measures they intend to implement to work towards meeting the air quality objectives.

The boroughs of Hillingdon, Hounslow and Spelthorne have designated air quality management areas around Heathrow as they are predicting they will be unable to meet the air quality objective for nitrogen

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dioxide in 2005 (this non-mandatory deadline is five years earlier than the deadline for the EU limit value). Reigate and Banstead Borough Council have also designated an air quality management area in respect of the 2005 nitrogen dioxide objective near to Gatwick. These authorities are required to draw up air quality action plans, in partnership with the airport operators and other interested parties setting out proposed measures to tackle the problem.

Stanstead, Luton and Manchester airports are not the subject of any air quality management aeras.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Seekers

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish guidelines used by his Department for considering the speed and timing of the deportation of asylum seekers once all appeals have been exhausted. [117926]

Beverley Hughes: There are no publishable guidelines or data available on how quickly removal should take The speed with which a person or persons can be removed depends on whether there are any barriers to removal and how quickly they can be overcome.

The Immigration Service (IS) is fully committed, however, to removing from the United Kingdom, all of those who have no entitlement to remain in this country. The IS targets in particular those who have applied for and failed the asylum process and those who have not lodged an appeal within 15 working days of adverse decision.

I am able to report that, following a series of measures, there has been a steady increase in removals performance across the board. Some 14,400 people (including dependants) were removed in 2002, representing an increase of 12 per cent. over the previous year and a 45 per cent. increase compared to 1997. Though, among other things, greater contact management with asylum seekers at all stages of the asylum process and better intelligence, we would expect this trend to continue over the coming months.

Through close collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), planning and work is also undertaken to overcome immigration related problems with specific countries. Were necessary, this includes working with other Government Departments and the Governments of the countries where specific problems exist. Through this approach, and by drawing upon the joint expertise of Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and FCO, measures can be identified and implemented that counter particular, and sometimes unique, problems including difficulties with delays and barriers to removal.

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