§ 34. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the number, siting, and equipment of export standard abattoirs is such as to encourage the maximum carcase trade and discourage the export of live animals for slaughter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartI am satisfied that the number, siting and equipment of abattoirs in England and Wales is not generally a bar to export trade in carcase meat. Forty-three abattoirs are at present approved for export, including nine which are due to be re-visited. I am always ready to consider any others which traders may wish to nominate.
§ 53. Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to speed up the veterinary inspection of abattoirs, so as to ensure that there is a greater number of export standard slaughterhouses better distributed over the areas where they are most needed.
§ Mr. HoyInspection of slaughterhouses for approval for export purposes is required by some only of the importing countries, notably France, Western Germany and Holland. Application for 215W such approval is a matter for the occupiers of particular slaughterhouses. At present only two slaughterhouses are awaiting visits by officers of the Department, and these visits will be arranged as soon as possible.