§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from small firms in the retail food industry about the EC directive on meat products.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Department consulted widely during the negotiations on the EC directive and consultation has also taken place on our proposals for regulations to implement it in Great Britain.
Although the directive and our proposed regulations do not apply to retail outlets, I am aware that small producers of meat products supplying their own retail shops are concerned about the effect of these regulations on their businesses. We do not intend to impose any unnecessary burdens on these small businesses, and I will consider very carefully the comments made during consultation before the regulations are finalised.