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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Gill: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has recently received concerning the future of small abattoirs; and what action he is taking to ensure their survival. [116251] Ms Stuart: As responsibility for food safety and standards matters has now passed to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) which reports to Parliament through Health Ministers, I have been asked to reply. Since publication of the Government's response to the report of the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and, from 1 April, the Food Standards Agency, has received a number of representations from a wide variety of sources about the future of small abattoirs. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recently replied to an open letter from 136 organisations about the impact of meat inspection charges on small and medium sized abattoirs, copies of which are available in the Library. I am advised that the Food Standards Agency recognises the difficulties faced by the meat industry, especially small businesses, as a result of increased veterinary supervision levels and the associated costs. We also understand the importance of local slaughtering facilities. A number of measures have been put in place to help small and medium sized abattoirs. These include the freezing of Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) hourly rates in 1999-2000 at 1998-99 levels (worth £7 million) and restricting the increase in 2000-01 to 2.2 per cent., in line with the rate of inflation and the commitment made by us last year. Charges for enforcement of specified risk Material controls have been deferred until 2002-03 at the earliest (worth £22 million). Following advice received from the European Commission, the MHS is reviewing its levels of inspection in individual low throughput (permanently derogated) premises. No increases in veterinary supervision levels in such premises have been made since the Commission's advice was received last May. No changes will be made until that review has been completed. In addition, we have adopted, or are giving further consideration to, 32 of the 35 recommendations of the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group. We are pressing on with their implementation as was confirmed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at the agriculture summit on 30 March. Steps are being taken to secure changes in the European Union meat hygiene and charging legislation in line with the Group's recommendations and discussions are underway in Brussels. The Food Standards Agency has also acted on the Group's recommendation and has set up a small task force to explore all the issues surrounding a `capping' approach to meat hygiene inspection charges for low volume abattoirs. Its membership and working arrangements were announced in a Food Standards Agency press release on 11 April, copies of which are available in the Library.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

349 c95W; 116251

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Fees and charges Inspections Hygiene Food Standards Agency Small businesses Regulation Waste disposal Slaughterhouses BSE Meat Hygiene Service Meat Inspection Charges Task Force

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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