§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions initiated by(a) his Department and (b) local authorities resulted in convictions for breaches of the slaughterhouse regulations in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MacleanEnforcement of slaughterhouse hygiene legislation is the responsibility of local authorities (district councils). No records of enforcement actions are collected centrally.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce an immediate scheme of slaughterhouse inspections by the state veterinary service without prior notification to the abattoir proprietors.
§ Mr. MacleanNo. Local authorities (district councils) are responsible for the enforcement of hygiene and welfare standards in slaughterhouses. Officers of the state veterinary service make periodic visits to all plants to give advice. It is usual, and more effective, for arrangements for these visits to be made with the local authority and the management of the plant concerned. Exceptionally, unannounced visits are made in response to reports of problems at a plant.