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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to meet Commissioner Byrne regarding the future basis of meat inspection; [R] [126195] (2) what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other EU countries regarding the future basis of meat inspection; [R] [126194] (3) what representations he has made to the European Commission regarding the future basis of meat inspection. [R] [126196] Ms Stuart: My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture met Commissioner Byrne on 6 March and pressed hard for a change in meat inspection arrangements to one based on risk assessment. The Commissioner acknowledged that a review of the legislation was overdue. The subject was also raised last year at a number of European Union Agriculture Councils. Since then this has become a matter for the Food Standards Agency and the chairman of the agency has also had a meeting with Commissioner Byrne. In line with the recommendations of the Pooley report and the Government's action plan for farming, we are continuing to press the Commission to bring forward proposals for updating Community legislation on meat hygiene to bring in a risk-based system of controls. I understand that the first of these, a new Regulation on hygiene, is expected to issue later this month. This will set out operator responsibilities, including the implementation of hazard analysis and critical control points in abattoirs.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

352 c355W; 126195;126194;126196

Session

1999-00

Registered interest declared

Yes

Subjects

EU countries Inspections Hygiene Food Standards Agency Meat Slaughterhouses

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk