§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the livestock slaughtering industry in Wales to determine the impact on small abattoirs of the new EC standards; and if he will press for further exemption by raising the current weekly limit of 12 livestock units.
§ Mr. David HuntEC directive 91/497 has provision for derogations from some of its structural standards for abattoirs processing up to 12 livestock units per week. The directive also contains provision for similar derogations for abattoirs with a throughput of up to 20 units per week provided they fall into a limited number of specific categories and subject to the approval in each individual case of the Standing Veterinary Committee. It is expected that very few abattoirs in Great Britain would qualify for this treatment, but any applications wil be considered on their individual merits.