§ 36. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received the EEC report on the qualifications of non-veterinary personnel engaged in the inspections of poultry cutting and storage premises and meat products plants; and if he will make a statement on Government policy in this field.
§ Mr. StrangThe EEC Commission has not yet reported to the Council of Ministers on this subject. Government policy in relation to the involvement of environmental health officers in duties under the various EEC directives on meat and meat products hygiene continues to be based on the statement I made to the House on 2nd November 1976—[Vol. 918, c. 1358]—namely, that beyond the poultry or red meat slaughterhouse we will oppose any EEC proposals for an extension of veterinary responsibility in areas which are now the responsibility of environmental health officers.