§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice and financial assistance is available to Scottish local authorities with regard to implementation of EEC regulations on poultry meat inspection; and what steps he plans to take to improve these matters.
§ Mr. YoungerGuidance on the implementation of the Poultry Meat Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 1976 is available to Scottish local authorities in a series of advisory circulars issued to them by my Department. My Department is also continuing to laise with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on this matter. As regards financial assistance, the Government are paying half the cost of eligible expenditure incurred by local authorities in setting up the poultry meat inspection service. I consider that these arrangements are working satisfactorily.
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§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give estimates of the increased costs to be borne by Scottish producers and processors due to the implementation of EEC poultry meat inspection regulations; what effect he expects these costs to have on producers and consumers; and when he will take action to assist the Scottish poultry industry in meeting these problems.
§ Mr. YoungerIn the first full year poultry meat inspection in Scotland will cost approximately £¼ million, which works out at less than 1p per broiler. However these costs are absorbed, they are unlikely to affect adversely the level of poultry meat consumption or the competitive position of poultry meat in relation to other meats. The Government at present reimburse the industry half of the eligible expenditure involved in setting up a poultry meat inspection service. The industry's case for assistance towards the continuing cost of the service is being considered in the light of the Government's overall policy on public expenditure.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made and received regarding the funding of poultry meat inspection facilities caused by EEC regulations; and whether he intends raising these matters at EEC level on behalf of the Scottish poultry industry.
§ Mr. YoungerThe poultry processing industry has made representations for a continuing subsidy on the cost of poultry meat inspection. This is being considered in the light of the Government's overall policy on public expenditure. I fully support the Commission's proposals designed to ensure that the poultry meat hygiene legislation is applied uniformly throughout the Community.