To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to increase sales of British beef. [39126]

The Government have continued to support various initiatives to help restore consumer confidence in beef and so promote sales. These have included Farm Assurance Schemes, the Assured British Meat initiative and measures such as beef labelling, raising hygiene standards and improving cattle traceability. We have also been in discussion with the Ministry of Defence recently to explore ways in which the volume of British beef purchased by the Armed Forces might be increased.