Chamber and committees

Payments under the slaughter premium are paid in two instalments - an advance, set this year at 80% of the total, followed by a balance payment, comprising the remainder. Advance payments began on 30 January 2001 to farmers eligible to receive premium under the Slaughter Premium Scheme (SPS) 2000. Payments totalling £3.5 million have been issued to date.Processing of balance payments is under way and payments started on 17 April 2001. This is in line with my department’s target of “mid-April” announced in the “Dear Producer” letter of 12 March 2001 which set out a planned schedule for CAP subsidy payments, a copy of which is in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

There is no evidence to suggest that new outbreaks of FMD have occurred as a result of burning infected carcasses. Epidemiologists believe that FMD will not be spread by burning carcasses for three reasons: the concentration of virus in the smoke is relatively low; the virus falls out of the smoke within a fairly short distance from the fire, and the desiccating effect of the fire inactivates the virus (although this has not been proved conclusively). Additionally, carcasses are sprayed with disinfectant before they are cremated so there is not virus on the surface of the carcasses when the fire is lit.

The Pig Outgoers 1 Scheme was launched on 4 December 2000 and applicants have been advised if their applications have been successful or not. The Pig Outgoers 2 Scheme, which I announced on 12 March 2001, will remain open for applications until 20 April 2001.The Pig Ongoers Scheme opened on 22 January 2001; the closing date for applications will be 3 August this year or earlier if the available funds have been allocated prior to that time.

Epidemiologists have undertaken a thorough review of all scientific literature on the possible dangers of FMD spreading as a result of burning infected carcasses. This included the Northumberland Report on the 1967-68 outbreak which concluded there was insufficient evidence. The expert view is that FMD will not be spread by burning carcasses for three reasons: the concentration of virus in the smoke is relatively low, the virus falls out of the smoke within a fairly short distance from the fire, and the desiccating effect of the fire inactivates the virus (although this has not been proved conclusively). Additionally, carcasses are sprayed with disinfectant before they are cremated so there is no virus on the surface of the carcases when the fire is lit.

There are several initiatives aimed specifically at reducing bureaucracy for Scottish farmers, including livestock farmers in particular. These are the Red Tape Review, the CAP Administration Review, the CAP External Communications Strategy and the Electronic Cattle Traceability System Project. Livestock farmers have already benefited from the following:- the introduction of electronic access to the central Cattle Traceability System (CTS). This is a key element of the proposed Electronic Cattle Traceability (ECT) system; it facilitates the electronic transfer of cattle information between the industry and the central database. The new system will reduce administrative burdens and the opportunity for errors.- the introduction of Electronic Service Delivery (ESD). We are building on last year's successful SCPS pilot exercise to develop facilities which will allow each SCPS 2001 claimant the option of submitting their claim form electronically. Our intention is to introduce progressively arrangements for electronic claim submission under the remaining subsidy schemes.- for the new Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS), the avoidance of duplication by using information already held in relation to the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS) and the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme (SAPS). For most claimants, completion of the LFASS claim form only requires some ticks and a signature.- the introduction, under IACS 2001, of a "no change declaration" for forage-only applicants whose circumstances have not altered from the previous year. This will avoid repetition and save time.- the introduction of "all bovine" farm inspections from September 2000. These will reduce the number and duration of farm visits overall, saving time for the farmer and officials.- the introduction of an appeals mechanism covering, amongst other schemes, all the CAP livestock subsidy schemes. We intend extending this mechanism to cover livestock quotas.- the formation of an External Communications Panel which monitors and suggests improvements to scheme literature and forms. The panel's work is being extended to assist in reviewing the department's "standard letters", published guidance and forms.In relation to the problems arising from foot-and-mouth disease, the department has made it clear in a "Dear Producer" letter that it will apply the force majeure provisions of the CAP subsidy schemes as flexibly as possible. Further information will be issued to producers shortly on foot-and-mouth disease matters.

The Standing Veterinary Committee recently agreed Decision 2001/270/EC on third countries and BSE. All countries (including those not already assessed) will have to remove Specified Risk Material (SRM) before exporting meat products to the UK. The 10 countries exempt from this requirement are (recognised by the Scientific Steering Committee as being highly unlikely to present a BSE risk): Australia, Argentina, Botswana, Chile, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay and Swaziland.The Office International des Epicotes currently recognise FMD free status in Australia, Chile, New Zealand and Uruguay. Botswana and Namibia are FMD free in their export zones where vaccination is banned. Paraguay is FMD free using vaccination. Nicaragua have never reported FMD but are not in the current OIE list. Argentina's status was recently suspended following a change in control policy. Swaziland's status was recently suspended due to occurrence of disease.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14536.

Every livestock farmer in Scotland has been issued with text and accompanying pictures of how to identify foot and mouth disease. The same material is available on the Scottish Executive and MAFF websites.

Checks on imports of meat are agreed at EU level and any changes to these arrangements must be similarly agreed.Within the EU all animals are subject to both ante mortem and post mortem veterinary checks at point of slaughter. Meat passed for human consumption is health marked, at which point it can be freely traded within the EU. This does not apply where restrictions such as those under the current foot and mouth emergency or any other animal health problem are in force.Meat coming into the EU from third countries must be slaughtered in an approved premises and enter the EU via a border inspection post. At this point it undergoes 100% identity and documentary checks along with physical checks where these are required. The checks concerned are carried out by official veterinary surgeons. In the event of any disease outbreak in third countries import bans would be imposed.A range of issues arising from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease will be considered as part of the normal review process once the outbreak is properly contained.I understand that the Food Standards Agency are ensuring that food safety checks on imported meat are being stepped up to cope with any increased level of imports resulting from FMD restrictions in the UK.

The Scottish Executive fully recognises the seriousness of this disease. The veterinary assessment in Scotland is that all the cases to date are linked. The slaughter and eradication process is working well with cases dealt with promptly as they arise. It is not possible to predict at this stage how many cases will finally emerge. The Executive has daily dialogue on the outbreak with Scottish farming representatives.