This is being done. The Canadian authorities have yet to publish their report on this matter. When they do, we will consider very carefully any information the report contains of relevance to the separation distances applied here for GM trials. To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest developments in the foot and mouth epidemic. About 90,000 animals have been identified for slaughter of which 61,000 have been killed so far.
Plans are in hand to render some of the carcases as an alternative to burning on farm.
Over 260 abattoirs have been approved for the scheme by the Meat Hygiene Service of which 168 were operating yesterday. The Meat and Livestock Commission estimated yesterday that British pork production was back to 50 per cent. In order to relieve emerging animal welfare problems officials are urgently working on arrangements to allow licensed local movement of animals within farms in uninfected areas only, where this would not increase disease risk. We hope to have proposals prepared very shortly. The EU Standing Veterinary Committee met on 6 March.