Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative) on Monday, 2 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 November 1998. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Thursday, 19 November 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish comparisons of the amounts of state subsidy given to farmers and abattoirs in EU countries for meat inspection. - Inc ref to 319 c104-5W, 9 November 1998.

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish comparisons of the amounts of state subsidy given to farmers and abattoirs in EU countries for meat inspection. [58447] Mr. Nick Brown: In Great Britain the meat industry pays the full cost of the hygiene/welfare inspections carried out by the Meat Hygiene Service in licensed meat plants. However, the Government currently meet the cost of enforcing SRM controls in licensed slaughterhouses having announced on 25 February that these would not be recovered from industry from 1 April 1998 as had been planned. So far as other EU Member States are concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 9 November 1998, Official Report, column 104.

Secondary information