§ 1988. Mr. MullinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions for breaches of the Slaughterhouse Act 1974 there have been in(a) 1987 and (b)
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonEnforcement of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 is the responsibility of local authorities. Information on the number of prosecutions is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is proposing to improve the inspection of slaughterhouses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonLocal authorities are responsible for enforcing the legislation and members of the state veterinary service visit abattoirs to monitor standards and give advice.
The Government propose to make it a statutory requirement for local authorities to designate an official to be formally responsible for the supervision and enforcement of welfare requirements in slaughterhouses.