§ Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the standard of poultrymeat inspection in the United Kingdom; how the United Kingdom standard compares with those pertaining in each of the other countries in the European Economic Community; and how many poultrymeat inspectors currently are in post in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WigginLocal authorities have made good progress in setting up the poultrymeat inspection service in this country. Our objective is to ensure that the poultrymeat hygiene directive is implemented to a uniform standard throughout the Community. Because we were concerned by reports of variations in the standards between member States, we asked the Commission last year to carry out a study into the implementation of the directive. The Commission's report has been delayed, but it is to be released shortly. The exact number of PMIs currently in post in the United Kingdom could only be obtained by asking all the employing authorities, but I understand that the total is of the order of 380.
§ Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if 702W he is satisfied with the working of the Live Poultry (Restrictions) Order 1971 as amended in 1971, 1972 and 1973;
(2) how many instances of Newcastle disease have been recorded since 1973; how many of these are attributable to the operation of sales by auction of store poultry; and if it is his intention to review the regulations covering the prohibition of store sales of poultry between 1 October and 31 December and the required practice of tail clipping.
§ Mr. WigginI am satisfied that the provisions of these orders imposing movement controls and other measures provide necessary safeguards against the risks of Newcastle disease.
Forty-nine outbreaks of the disease have been confirmed since 1973, the last outbreak occurring in 1978. It is not possible to say what proportion of these were attributable to any particular method of sale.
The working of these orders, and others dealing with animal health subjects, is kept under regular examination.