To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire on 15 February 1999, Official Report, column 574, what separate items have to be inspected by the EU Commission before the export ban can
| Date | Title of meeting | EU member states | European Commission | World Trade Organisation |
| Meetings attended since 1 January 1999 | ||||
| 7 January 1999 | EU group of seed experts | Yes | Yes | — |
| 8 January 1999 | EU Standing Committee on Seeds | Yes | Yes | — |
| 14-15 January 1999 | EU group of experts on the vegetable common catalogue | Yes | Yes | — |
| 19 January 1999 | EU group of experts on hybrids of cereals | Yes | Yes | — |
| 19 January 1999 | EU group of seeds experts | Yes | — | — |
| 20 January 1999 | EU Standing Committee on Seeds | Yes | Yes | — |
| 9 February 1999 | Community Plant Variety Office Fees Working Party | Yes | Yes | — |
be lifted; if the abattoirs which apply then will require a second inspection; when he will invite the Commission to carry out the inspections already required; and what remaining issues need to be resolved before that invitation is issued. [72252]
[holding answer 22 February 1999]: The European Commission inspected our procedures for operating the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) from 12 to 16 April. During their visit, the inspectors were given demonstrations of the practical operation of the DBES in three slaughterhouses—one in England, one Scotland and one in Northern Ireland. They also visited two farms, an incinerator, an Animal Health Divisional Office and the new Unit in Gloucester which will run the Scheme.The Commission are now writing a report of their inspection for presentation to the Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC). After the SVC have seen the inspection report, the Commission should set a date from which exports of UK beef produced under the DBES can start.There is no requirement for the individual abattoirs which decide to participate in the DBES to be inspected by the Commission. The approval of such abattoirs will be dealt with on a national basis.