§ Mr Dickens asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when environmental health officers will be recognised as qualified to certify meat in accordance with the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1981.
§ Mrs Fenner:The Government's objective is to secure recognition in Brussels that environmental health officers, as well as veterinary surgeons, are qualified in the United Kingdom to carry out supervision and provide public health certification of meat products under the Community 201W directive on intra-Community trade in meat products. They are also aiming to secure similar recognition for EHOs in relation to poultry cutting premises and cold stores separate from poultry slaughterhouses, but not for similar duties under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1981. Discussions on the recognition EHOs for work in meat products plants and poultry cutting and storage premises have recently begun in a Council working group.