§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Mnister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to introduce legislation to provide for financial compensation to be made to the owners of slaughterhouses forced out of business as a result of their inability to comply with the Slaughterhouses (Hygiene) Regulations 1977; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangMy right hon. Friend the Minister has no plans to provide for financial compensation for slaughterhouses which cease to operate, whatever the reason. As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 19 February—[Vol. 963, c.26–27]—the industry was given some time in which to adjust to the new requirements. Full and lengthy consultations preceded the making of the regulations.
Aid is available under certain conditions, under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972, for the modernisation and improvement of slaughterhouses.