§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any proposals to improve the level of inspection at markets and at non-European Economic Community approved abattoirs.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Farm Animal Welfare Council has made a number of recommendations relating to the enforcement of welfare legislation at markets and slaughterhouses. The Government are seeking views on these recommendations and will publish their response in due course. As regards meat inspection, rigorous post-mortem inspection requirements must be observed in both non-exporting and EC approved abattoirs. Ante-mortem inspection is to be introduced in non-exporting plants from 1 January 1991. Further measures to align arrangements in all plants will be developed having regard to decisions in Brussels on arrangements to be adopted for the completion of the single market.