HL Deb 26 June 1975 vol 361 cc1700-2WA
Lord BURTON

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether steps can be taken, such as the setting up of an expert Committee, to standardise the methods of handling meat in the EEC countries on account of the widely differing requirements on the Continent from those practised in this country.

Lord STRABOLGI

There is already a large measure of standardisation within the Community. A Directive prescribes hygiene standards for trade between Member-States in the fresh meat of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses. A similar Directive applying common standards in relation to poultry meat (hens, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks and geese) is already in force for intra-Community trade, and will be introduced by stages to apply to home trade as well. A draft Community regulation laying down marketing standards for poultry meat (including handling and labelling requirements) is also being considered in Brussels.

A Committee of experts is at present working on a draft Directive for intra-Community trade in meat-based products. This EEC harmonisation of standards is expected to continue. We, and our EEC partners, also co-operate in the discussion of the FAO Codex Alimentarious Commission for the development of agreed standards in a wider international context.

House adjourned at ten minutes before ten o'clock.