§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much extra water per bird will be required when the new EEC regulations on poultry slaughter are put into operation.
§ Mr. StrangThe use of water is inseperable from clean and hygienic food production. The EEC poultry meat hygiene directives do not specify a particular quantity of water to be used per bird and neither will our proposed implementing regulations.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the effect of the new EEC regulations on poultry slaughter of spent laying birds.
§ Mr. StrangThe proposals for regulations which we have circulated are intended to apply to the slaughter of spent laying birds as to other classes of poultry.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimated cost per pound for implementing the new poultry hygiene regulations.
§ Mr. StrangThese costs are currently estimated at an average of about one-third of a penny per lb. They would not, on our proposals, have to be met fully until 1979–80 and there would be some offsetting savings for those in the industry who at present employ quality control staff to fill the gap created by the absence of an official poultry meat inspection service.
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§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representatives he has received about the scope of the new poultry meat directives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangMost of those who have made representations now accept the general purpose of the proposed regulations. The remaining differences which are under discussion centre mainly on the restricted sale of certain types of uneviscerated poultry and on the method of introducing and supervising an inspection service.
§ Mr. Jayasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he proposes to introduce an Order giving effect to EEC directive on the preparation of chickens; and under what statutory powers.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy toward the new Community regulations for poultry hygiene; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangProposals for regulations to implement the EEC directives on poultry meat hygiene were sent on 10th December 1975 to representative bodies as a basis for consultation. A number of points on which representations were made are still under consideration. The regulations would be made under the powers conferred by Sections 13 and 123 of the Food and Drugs Act 1955 and Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.