§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many new licences to export meat to the United Kingdom have been granted to meat plants in the Argentine Republic in the last 12 months;
(2) how many meat plants in the Argentine Republic have had their licences to export meat to the United Kingdom withdrawn in the last 12 months; and what were the reasons for such withdrawal;
(3) how many meat plants in the Argentine Republic are at present licensed to export meat to the United Kingdom; and how many of these plants are equipped with the necessary facilities for the boning of beef.
§ Mr. John MackieThere are 27 meat plants in the Argentine Republic approved under the Imported Food Regulations, 1968, for export to the United Kingdom. They consist of three sheep establishments, from which supplies are not allowed to come in on animal health grounds; 15 beef establishments, of which one is a cannery only; and nine horse slaughterhouses which were brought within the regulations for the first time in the last 12 months; no other plants were newly approved in that period.
During the last 12 months, two sheep and four beef establishments were removed from the approved list because of shortcomings in construction and hygiene.
Thirteen of the 14 refrigerated beef plants are equipped with facilities for boning, and it is understood that the remaining one will soon be so equipped.