The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1996Prime Minister (1990-1997)

PMQT Written Answers – 29 April 1996

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Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 29th April 1996.

PRIME MINISTER:

Beef Exports (EU Ban)

Mr. John Morris: To ask the Prime Minister if he will take measures (a) at the Council of Ministers of the European Community and (b) the Court of Justice in Luxembourg to expedite the hearing of the British Government’s proposed case against the European Commission’s embargo on the export of British beef, particularly to third countries; and if he will instruct the Attorney-General to present the British case.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 23 April]: The European Union ban on the export of British beef is not justified on the basis of science as a measure necessary to protect public health, and it is totally disproportionate. We are pressing at every opportunity in the Council of Ministers for this ban on the export of British beef to be lifted. We are also challenging the legality of the ban before the European Court of Justice.