| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Written Answers
Wednesday, 4th July 2001.
Fur Farmers: Compensation
Lord Kimball asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will consider making ex gratia payments to fur farmers entitled to compensation under the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000 in recognition of the difficulties caused to them by the long period of time between the ban on compensatable investment in the businesses imposed in March 1999 and the likely commencement of the compensation scheme under the Act.[HL16]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): The Government are committed to providing fair compensation to fur farmers put out of business by the ban on fur farming under the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000. As required under the Act, we will consult the industry on the details of the compensation scheme later this year. The Government will then consider the responses received and lay the necessary statutory instrument before Parliament. The Government understand the need to move as fast as possible on this matter.
Agriculture Council, 19 June 2001
Lord Haskel asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the outcome of the Agricultural Council held in Luxembourg on 19 June.[HL182]
Lord Whitty: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State (Mrs Margaret Beckett) attended the meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg on 19 June.
The Council adopted by qualified majority (Spain and Netherlands opposing) measures to tackle the problems in the EU beef market resulting from the discovery of BSE in certain continental countries late last year. We are pleased to secure important exemptions for United Kingdom farmers from the measures cutting back suckler cow production, in recognition of the particular impact of FMD, as well as rejection of the excessively bureaucratic proposals to impose individual farmer quotas on beef special premiums and to reimpose the 90 head limit on individual claims.
The Council also adopted--by qualified majority with Spain opposing and Portugal abstaining--rules to restrict the use of close confinement stalls for sows. This brings other countries into line with conditions already applying here. It is an important and welcome step to improve pig welfare across the Community, albeit less radically than we would have preferred.
The Council also resolved to improve the welfare of animals during transport, which I urged must be given effect speedily.
Colleagues were upated on the latest situation on FMD in the UK. The Council also discussed further measures on BSE, as a result of which the Commission will enact a range of further controls including an extension to the current ban on the use of animal protein in animal feed.
The Council unanimously adopted conclusions following up the Copenhagen Conference on organic food and farming, and setting the framework for a European Action Plan. It unanimously agreed proposals concerning the olive oil and hops regimes, inspection and control of animal feedingstuffs, a special aid scheme for small farmers and a common position on controlling undesirable substances in animal feed. By qualified majority, it agreed common positions on the processing, use and disposal of animal by-products and on classical swine fever (Germany and Austria opposing in both cases).
Treaty of Nice
Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they anticipate that the enlargement process will be delayed as a result of the Irish referendum rejecting the Nice Treaty; and [HL47]
Whether they will consider the renegotiation of any part of the Nice Treaty, in particular those parts that do not relate to the enlargement process, as a result of the rejection of the Treaty in the Irish referendum; and [HL48]
How they intend to achieve "rapid progress on the enlargement of the European Union" in light of the Irish rejection of the Nice Treaty. [HL49]
The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): The 11 June General Affairs Council expressed regret at the result of the Irish referendum on the Treaty of Nice, while respecting the will of the Irish people. The GAC noted that the Irish Government is deeply and firmly committed to the EU and to the ratification of the Treaty of Nice. The Fourteen expressed their readiness to contribute in every possible way to help the Irish Government find a way forward, taking into account the concerns reflected by this result, without reopening the text of the Nice Treaty.
The Gothenburg European Council confirmed these conclusions, and reaffirmed that the ratification process for the Treaty of Nice will continue so that the Union is in a position to welcome new member states from the end of 2002.
Heads of State and Government also agreed that, provided progress towards meeting the accession criteria continues at an unabated pace, the enlargement road map should make it possible to complete negotiations by the end of 2002 for those candidate countries that are ready. The objective is that they should participate in the 2004 European Parliament elections as members.
Council of the European Union: Forthcoming Business
Baroness Rendell of Babergh asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July, and what are the major European Union events for the period between 31 July and December.[HL162]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: See attached:
July 10--ECOFIN Meeting--Brussels
1. Work Programme of the Presidency
--Presentation and public discussion
2. Adoption of provisional agenda
3. (poss) Adoption of "A" points list
4. Follow-up of the European Council of Go
6. Fiscal policy of the European Union
--Communication of the Commission
7. Calendar of the Tax package
5-6--Liege--Informal Employment and Social
13-14--Brussels--Regional Territories Council
16-17--Brussels--General Affairs Council
23-24--Brussels--Agriculture Council
No agendas for the above are available yet.
The following are the principal events in the EU between 1 August and December 2001 (certain relevant events are also included: the list is based on the information available at the date of issue).
| Date | Location | Event |
| August 2001 There are no Councils scheduled for August September 2001 | ||
| 6-7 | Bruges | External Trade Council (Ministerial Informal) |
| 8-9 | Genval | Gymnich |
| 14-16 | Leuven and Louvain- la-neuve | Environment Council (Ministerial Informal) |
| 16-18 | Alden Biezen | Agriculture Council (Ministerial Informal) |
| 22-23 | Liege | ECOFIN (Informal) |
| 24-25 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 27 | Brussels | Internal Market, Consumers and Tourism Council |
| 27-28 | Brussels | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| October 2001 | ||
| 1 | Brussels | Research Council |
| 1 | Brussels | European Union Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session (Possible) |
| 8 | Brussels | Employment and Social Affairs Council |
| 8-9 | Luxembourg | General Affairs Council |
| 9 | Brussels | Urban Metropolitan Policy Council (Ministerial Informal) |
| 11-12 | Brussels | Defence Council (Ministerial Informal) |
| 15-16 | Brussels | Transport and Telecommunications Council (Possible) |
| 16 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| 19 | Ghent | European Council (Informal) |
| 22-23 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 25 | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
| 29 | Brussels | Environment Council |
| 29-30 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| November 2001 | ||
| 5 | Brussels | Cultural and Audio-visual Council |
| 6 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| 8 | Brussels | Development and Co-operation Council |
| 9 | Brussels | European Union Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session |
| 12 | Brussels | Employment and Social Affairs |
| 15 | Brussels | Health Council |
| 16 | Brussels | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| 19-20 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 19-20 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 19-20 | Brussels | Capabilities Improvement Conference (Defence Ministers present) |
| 21-22 | Brussels | Budget Council (Possible) |
| 26 | Brussels | Internal Market, Consumers and Tourism Council |
| 27 | Brussels | Fisheries Council (Possible) |
| 29 | Brussels | Education and Youth Council |
| December 2001 | ||
| 3 | Brussels | Employment and Social Affairs Council |
| 4 | Bruges | Culture Council (Informal) |
| 4 | Brussels | ECOFIN |
| 4 | Brussels | Energy Council |
| 5 | Brussels | Industry Council |
| 7-8 | Brussels | Transport and Telecommunications Council |
| 7-8 | Brussels | Justice and Home Affairs Council |
| 10 | Brussels | Research Council |
| 10-11 | Brussels | General Affairs Council |
| 12-13 | Brussels | Environment Council |
| 14-15 | Brussels/ Laeken | European Council |
| 17-18 | Brussels | Agriculture Council |
| 19-20 | Brussels | Fisheries Council |
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |