§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the existing slaughterhouses, or those under construction, provide or will provide facilities for buyers of livestock from other EEC countries to have their stock slaughtered and exported as dead meat; and where these slaughterhouses are situated.
§ Mr. William RossThe operators of the 15 slaughterhouses approved for EEC purposes may provide these facilities to buyers of livestock from other EEC countries. Arrangements for the use of the services are a matter for negotiation between the operators and the purchasers of the livestock. The approved slaughterhouses are situated at Aberdeen (2), Annan, Banchory, Biggar, Buckie, Dumfries, East Kilbride, Galashiels, Inver-142W urie, Lockerbie, Hawick, Kirkcaldy, Salt-coats and Stirling.
I understand that new developments are being built with a view to meeting EEC standards at Bathgate, Dundee, Glasgow and in Shetland. In addition, the existing facilities at Galashiels are being expanded to handle increased throughput.