As regards the Minister's comments about problems of scarcity, those are probably related more to the Minister's failure to get any scheme going to increase the beef cow herd. However, that is another issue. On the question of hormones, what is the attitude of the US and how will it impact on future decisions of the EC? I am raising the issue in relation to the US where hormones have been cleared by the food and drugs administration and where there is a major export of about £100 million a year into the Community of offal and I gather the US has indicated firmly that it is not prepared to give in, as it were, to the decision of the EC and have that trade totally wiped out. What is the up-to-date situation there?

I know the US has taken certain positions and the Commission of the EC on behalf of the EC is in constant discussions with the US in respect of that as a consequence of the decision taken, as the Deputy will know, before I came into Government. I am simply implementing what was decided by the Council and the Government in which the Deputy's party participated.

We are, as far as I know, uniquely in the EC the country — perhaps there is another one now — not required to certify each individual consignment as being hormone free. That means that on the German, Dutch or any other market in Europe our produce has immediate access without the delay, cost or bureaucratic entanglement of certifying each consignment. I hope each Member of the House will see the importance of that and that we will go for the top of the market where we are getting the top price. The Deputy knows the other question is not relevant and does not arise from this question.