§ 30. Captain Pluggeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider creating some system of appeal when a farmer is not satisfied with the grade and weights of his cattle sent to the State slaughterhouses?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Boothby)Fat cattle are purchased by the Ministry on the basis of grading in relation to the actual live-weight as shown on the weighing machine at the market. Grading is carried out by a certifying authority of three persons, one of whom is a farmer. The Ministry are taking all possible steps to ensure that the grading is carried out fairly and uniformly at all collecting centres and a staff of specially qualified inspectors is engaged for that purpose. Consideration has been given to the question of allowing producers the right to appeal against the decision of the graders in cases where they are dissatisfied, but the complexity of the arrangements for the operation of any such scheme on a national basis would render it unworkable. I am not aware of any general desire for a right of appeal, which would, of course, have to be equally available to the Ministry as well as the farmers.