Abattoirs (Hansard, 21 May 1992)

§ Mr. Soames

The EC abattoir standard is set out in an EC directive (91/497/EEC) on the hygiene and marketing of fresh meat which will be implemented in the United Kingdom by the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992 the draft of which has recently been circulated for consultation. Over half of British meat is already produced in abattoirs approved as meeting the EC standard. We anticipate there will be no shortage of slaughtering capacity in Great Britain after 1992 although some rationalisation of the industry is inevitable.

There are no exemptions in the directive for slaughtering operations. "Low-capacity" slaughterhouses processing up to 12 livestock units per week are subject to 253W less onerous rules on structure and layout of premises, although they must comply with the hygiene requirements. There are also provisions for the EC's Standing Veterinary Committee to approve the extension of the "low throughput" rules to slaughterhouses processing between 12 and 20 livestock units per week provided certain criteria are met. We anticipate that very few premises in Great Britain will meet the criteria laid down but any applications received will be considered on a case by case basis.

A separate directive (91/498/EEC) provides for additional time to be granted to businesses unable to meet all of the EC requirements on structure and layout of premises by 1 January 1993. A large number of operators have applied to take advantage of this provision for temporary derogations whilst they upgrade their premises.

Any applications from other member states for extending the "low throughput" rules must be authorised by the Standing Veterinary Committee so we shall be aware of them in due course. Commission inspectors will monitor applications of the directive in all member states. If there is any substantive evidence that any member state is not applying the rules correctly, the Government will raise the matter with the Commission.