§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of abattoirs in Wales in 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1994. [24559]
§ Mr Gwilym JonesSince the beginning of 1993, agriculture departments have been responsible for licensing fresh meat premises including abattoirs; prior to that local authorities had this responsibility. Figures for the numbers of abattoirs before 1993 are derived from records of state veterinary service visits made at the end of each year as set out in the chief veterinary officer's reports for those years. The number of abattoirs operating in Wales was 62 in 1980, 72 in 1985, and 60 in 1990. At the end of 1994, the number of abattoirs licensed by the Welsh office was 40—not 39 as previously advised to the hon. Members for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) and for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley).