§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what extra burdens and costs will be imposed in Scotland by veterinary certification due specifically to Common Market regulations on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products;
(2) what are the extra estimated costs in Scotland of producing buildings designed to comply with EEC regulations on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products;
(3) what is the estimated cost of extra inspectors required in Scotland to comply with EEC regulations on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products;
(4) how many extra inspectors will be required in Scotland to comply with proposed EEC regulations on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products;
(5) what steps have been taken to recruit and train the special assistants required in Scotland to carry out the terms of the Common Market regulations on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products;
(6) how many existing establishments in Scotland do not at present conform with the requirements of Common Market regulations on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe draft directive on health problems connected with intra-Community trade has not yet been agreed.434W There should, however, be no extra burdens for those manufacturers already trading with the Community if and when the draft directive is made.
The present position as regards the export trade in meat products is that veterinary inspection is already required by nearly all importing countries including all those within the Community. In practice, therefore, there will be no change in that aspect of procedure when the directive is implemented.
It is a matter for the individual manufacturer to decide whether for the purposes of export trade to adapt his buildings to meet the requirements of importing countries. No figures in respect of costs so far incurred by manufacturers in this trade are available.
The directive should not result in any extra costs in respect of veterinary inspection for manufacturers at present trading with the Community. Those engaged in the trade bear the cost of veterinary inspection as well as the cost of any necessary adaptation of buildings. The need for additional veterinary assistance would depend on any expansion in existing trade. My information is that at present there is no shortage of veterinary assistance available to manufacturers currently exporting to the Community, and that it should remain adequate to meet the needs of any foreseeable increase in trade with the Community.
There is no information available about the number of existing establishments which do not conform with Community requirements.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the value of Scottish meat exports to Common Market countries.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownAll export statistics are compiled on a United Kingdom basis and no meaningful figures are available for Scottish exports a growing proportion of which is transported by road for export through English ports. In 1975 the total value of meat exported from the United Kingdom to the EEC was £120 million.