§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what study his Department has made of the Group Public Health Committee's report "The Unfit Meat Trade in Northern Ireland, Law and Enforcement Review" and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Departments of Agriculture and Health and Social Services are considering the detailed recommendations made in the report and will issue a response shortly.
§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to bring forward new measures for the control of licensed knackeries to prevent unfit meat entering the human food chain.
§ Mr. NeedhamA draft order in Council is being prepared by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland which will provide for prescription in regulations of the standards to be met by knackeries, before such premises are licensed by district councils.
§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions have been brought against those operating illegal knackeries or trading in unfit meat during the last five years; what convictions have been obtained; and what penalties have been imposed.
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§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is as follows:
Offence Prosecutions Convictions Total fines (plus costs) £ (i) Operating illegal knackery 11 10 350 (ii) Trading in unfit meat 42 42 42
§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what specific and formal advice and assistance is available for those wishing to set up properly licensed and supervised knackeries to deal with fallen and casualty animals.
§ Mr. NeedhamAny person wishing to set up a knackery can obtain advice from the environmental health department of the district council in whose area the proposed knackery would be situated. The advice would include information on licensing arrangements, siting and standards of premises and conditions to be observed in handling, treatment and movement of any unfit meat and the keeping of records.
§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list existing licensed knackeries, with the location of each and the service each offers to farmers.
§ Mr. NeedhamThere are two licensed knackeries in Northern Ireland—Lisburn By-Products Ltd., Moira road, Lisburn and Ulster Farm By-Products Ltd., Glenavy. Both knackeries provide farmers with an essential means of disposal of casualty and dead animals.