§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what permission he has sought for the slaughter of casualty livestock in excess of the weekly quota subject to derogation under EC requirements;
(2) whether he will seek to exclude casualty livestock from the 12 livestock unit allowance for small slaughterhouses.
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 8 December 1992]: As my right hon. Friend the Minister told the House on 2 December, Official Report, columns 223–24, he is arranging for the Council of Agriculture Ministers to discuss the question of small slaughterhouses at its meeting on 14–16 December.
I recognise the importance of ensuring that suitable facilities are available for the slaughter of animals which are suspected of being diseased or injured, and the State Veterinary Service will monitor the position carefully. Officials will take a sensible approach towards isolated instances where the weekly throughput limit is exceeded because of any emergency slaughter.