§ Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to the setting up of a system of animal slaughter and meat inspection by the Government to ensure that no meat is offered for human consumption unless it has been approved as fit for this purpose by a qualified officer of a local authority.
Mr. AmoryI am considering how best the present arrangements for the inspection at slaughterhouses of animals and meat can be improved. There are serious practical difficulties, not least the shortage of qualified inspectors. Power to make inspection compulsory has been taken in the Food and Drugs (Amendment) Act, 1954, and I intend, in association with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, to make new regulations at the earliest practicable date.