§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in the event of non-availability of sufficient poultry meat inspectors required by EEC legislation, it will be for local authorities, without additional cost, to take whatever emergency steps are necessary to ensure the continuing functioning of poultry meat slaughterhouses and continued supplies of saleable poultry meat.
§ Mr. BishopI hope that by the scheduled date of 15th August 1979 sufficient poultry meat inspectors will be in post to carry out the level of inspection required by the Poultry Meat (Hygiene) Regulations 1976. The action which might be necessary if this situation is not achieved could be considered only in the light of the circumstances at the time.
§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give an assurance that, as central component authority on poultry meat inspection, his officials will not seek to control official veterinarians employed by local authorities beyond the role of giving advice on what is required by the FEC Commission.
§ Mr. BishopWhile responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Poultry Meat (Hygiene) Regulations 1976 rests with local authorities, the Government, as central competent authority, have responsibility for ensuring that their Community obligations are properly met.564W This responsibility includes not only giving advice but seeing that persons designated by it as official veterinary surgeons remain suitable for the task.