Written question asked by Christopher Gill (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on meat inspection charges in smaller abattoirs. - (Holding answer 26 February 2001).

Answer: Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on meat inspection charges in smaller abattoirs. [R] [150872] Ms Stuart: [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The Government's response to the report of the Meat Inspection Charges Task Force was published in the Rural White Paper on 28 November 2000 when, `inter alia', we announced the provision of new, additional aid (worth £8.7 million in 2001-02) to help secure the future of small and medium-sized abattoirs. As a result of this additional funding the Food Standards Agency was able to implement, from 2 April 2001, the recommendations of the Task Force to base meat inspection charges on the standard headage charges laid down in the EU Charges Directive or on actual inspection costs where these are lower.

Secondary information