§ Sir Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide further details of the scheme to pay veterinary costs in meat plants.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe scheme will apply to the costs of employing veterinary surgeons for supervisory duties in 195W export approved red meat slaughterhouses, cutting plants and cold stores, in export approved meat product and game establishments, and in poultry slaughterhouses and cutting plants which apply the EC health mark and cold stores used for export consignments of poultry meat. Subject to certain conditions, the Government will meet the cost of veterinary supervision and certification in export plants, where this is currently charged to the industry, both where it is carried out by official veterinary surgeons appointed by local authorities and where it is carried out by local veterinary inspectors appointed by myself or — in Northern Ireland—by Government veterinary officers. The Government will also meet the cost of testing for trichinosis and residue examinations where these are needed to meet the requirements of importing countries.
The cost of the scheme is estimated at about £2.5 million in a full year. The payments will be made under the Minister of Food (Financial Powers) Act 1949. The scheme will be financed by savings in other areas of expenditure by the Agriculture Departments. Parliamentary approval for this new service will be sought.
I intend the scheme to operate in respect of veterinary costs incurred from 1 June 1983. The detailed operational arrangements will be discussed as soon as possible with interested organisations.
I emphasise that this is an exceptional measure and in no way prejudices the general principle that the costs of meat inspection should he charged to the industry.