HL Deb 11 March 1999 vol 598 cc50-1WA
Lord Shepherd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the response to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food consultation on the proposal to charge industry for the costs of enforcing controls on specified risk material. [HL1445]

Lord Donoughue

We received 26 responses to the consultation document and we have also received other correspondence relating to these proposals. Almost all argued that the proposed charges should not be levied at a time when the livestock industry is still in great financial difficulties. Some argued that the charges would discriminate against small abattoirs in rural areas.

My honourable friend the Minister of State and his colleagues in Scotland and Wales have carefully considered these responses but concluded that, in the light of the Government's overall priorities, we should proceed as planned. We therefore laid the necessary regulations before Parliament on 8 March 1999. A number of consultees commented that the charge should be based on throughput rather than an hourly rate. We recognise the benefits that this could bring to small, low throughput abattoirs and have therefore asked our officials to consider the feasibility of altering the basis of the SRM charge so as to lessen the severe impact on small, low throughput abattoirs. Any change would require a further consultation exercise and amending legislation.

Copies of the responses to the consultation are available for public inspection at the main MAFF library in London.