§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat was produced in total from abattoirs in the United Kingdom in 1989.
§ Mr. GummerTotal red meat production from United Kingdom abattoirs in 1989 was 2.276 million tonnes carcase weight.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat was consumed in the United Kingdom from non-European Community approved abattoirs in 1989.
§ Mr. GummerData on consumption from particular abattoirs are not collected; red meat production from non EC-approved abattoirs in 1989 was 1.1525 million tonnes carcase weight.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library the general conclusions by the European Community arising from their 1989 inspection visit to slaughterhouses in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. GummerA formal report from the European Commission has not been received. However, I will write to the hon. Member about the information which is available.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many European Community approved abattoirs received(a) suspension warnings and (b) suspensions in 1989 under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations.
§ Mr. GummerDuring 1989, five suspension warnings were issued and export approval was suspended in four cases.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat from European Community approved abattoirs in the United Kingdom 737W was (a) exported and (b) consumed in the United Kingdom in 1989 under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations.
§ Mr. GummerAbattoirs approved to engage in intra-Community trade under the Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1987 may produce fresh meat for sale on domestic markets as well as for export. It is a matter of commercial judgment for each operator to decide whether to produce meat for export or for domestic markets and figures are not held by my Department as to the destination of the meat from such plants.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the suspension on providing meat to the European Community from the slaughterhouse at North Torrington is still in force; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerYes, this suspension of export approval is still in force. Since suspending export approval, officials have been in discussion with the plant management regarding the necessary improvements, and these are being carried out. Suspension will not be lifted till we are satisfied that the plant conforms to EC export conditions.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total number of abattoirs in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales; and how many were approved for export to the European Community for each year since 1983 for (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales.
§ Mr. GummerWhether plants apply for export approval is a matter for their commercial judgment. The total number of abattoirs and of those which have export approval are as follows.
Northern Ireland England Scotland Wales United Kingdom 1983 EC 16 60 22 — 98 Total 20 873 79 69 1,041 1984 EC 16 61 22 — 99 Total 20 861 79 70 1,030 1985 EC 17 63 24 1 105 Total 21 852 75 72 1,020 1986 EC 17 66 23 1 107 Total 21 815 73 72 981 1987 EC 17 57 24 1 99 Total 21 793 73 71 958 1988 EC 18 55 24 2 99 Total 23 782 68 65 938 1989 EC 17 54 24 3 98 Total 23 783 68 66 940