§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses in each MAFF region have sought derogations from EC regulations in each year since 1989. [26005]
§ Mrs. BrowningUnder the single market provisions of Council directives 91/497/EEC and 91/498/EEC which had to be implemented by 1 January 1993, member states were permitted to grant slaughterhouses temporary derogations for a limited period from the structural requirements of directive 91/497/EEC, provided they met the necessary hygiene requirements. Prior to 1 January 1993, therefore, there were no slaughterhouses operating under a licence issued subject to a temporary derogation. Total figures for premises in England licensed subject to temporary derogations for 1993, 1994 and 1995 were provided in the reply I gave on 16 April to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. McLeish),Official Report, column 469. A breakdown of the figures by MAFF region is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses in each MAFF region were not approved by the EC in each year since 1989. [26006]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe total number of red meat slaughterhouses in England which were not approved for EC trade at the end of each year from 1989 to 1995 is given in the table. No breakdown of these figures by MAFF region is readily available and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Until 1993, local authorities were responsible for licensing slaughterhouses and the figures shown for 1989 to 1992 are derived from records of state veterinary service visits.
Total number of red meat slaughterhouses not approved for EC trade Number 1989 635 1990 589 1991 540 1992 487 1993 1373 1994 1346 1995 1292 1 Licensed by MAFF.