§ Barbara FollettTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with retailers about proposals to classify uncooked meat and fish as animal by-product waste. [113320]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Animal By-Products Regulation 1774/2002 maintains the same principle as the previous Council Directive 90/667/EEC (the Animal Waste Directive) which classified uncooked meat and fish as an animal by-product. This has already been transposed into domestic legislation (Animal By-Products Order 1999).
Defra has worked closely with industry representatives and enforcement bodies during the negotiations on the EU Animal By-Products Regulation to identify practical difficulties, and where possible to secure transitional measures to give industry time to make the changes necessary to comply with the new requirements.
Officials held meetings with food manufacturers and animal by-product disposal companies on the 11 April and again on the 29 April with retailers and the disposal industry to discuss the implementation of the new rules.
We will continue to meet with the affected sectors to discuss the progress being made and problems that arise.