HC Deb 15 February 1999 vol 325 cc577-8W
Mr. Todd

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made contingency plans to deal with the consequences of disruption to the services offered by the Meat Hygiene Service in the event of industrial action; and if he will make a statement. [68319]

Mr. Rooker

Contingency plans were drawn up to minimise the effect of industrial action by Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) staff on Tuesday 2 February. Food safety, public health and animal welfare were fully protected. The MHS strictly enforced meat hygiene, specified risk material and animal welfare Regulations in all licensed plants whether or not they were able to operate on the day of strike action.

The decision by UNISON to call strike action by its Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) members at the present time is very disappointing. MHS staff have a vital role to play in ensuring the highest hygiene and animal welfare standards are applied within plants. The MHS pay offer is fair and equitable. Indeed, the total value of the offer is on par with the current average civil service settlements.

The MHS is continuing negotiations with UNISON with the involvement of ACAS to seek to resolve the dispute at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Waterson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken by the Government to assist a resolution of the current abattoir inspectors' dispute. [70198]

Mr. Rooker

The decision by UNISON to call strike action by its Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) members at the present time is very disappointing. MHS staff have a vital role to play in ensuring the highest hygiene and animal welfare standards are applied within plants. The MHS pay offer is fair and equitable. Indeed, the total value of the offer is on par with the current average civil service settlements.

The negotiation to pay is delegated to officials. The MHS is continuing negotiations with UNISON with the involvement of ACAS to seek to resolve the dispute at the earliest opportunity.