HC Deb 21 May 1990 vol 173 cc86-7W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his timetable for the implementation of the European Community requirement for the ante mortem veterinary inspection of livestock at all slaughterhouses.

Mr. Maclean

I regret that the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 3 May,Official Report, column 641, contained a typing error. Ante mortem inspection is to be introduced in non-exporting plants from 1 January 1991, not 1 January 1993.

Mr. Riddick

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the European Commission's proposals concerning the slaughter of horses.

Mr. Maclean

I am not aware of any European Commission proposals exclusively concerned with the slaughter of horses. However, Commission officials are working on a draft measure on the welfare of all animals, including horses, at slaughter. A formal proposal has not yet been made to the Council, but I welcome the Commission's intention to propose a strengthening of Community legislation in this important area.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the requirement for the high temperature processing of slaughterhouse waste before turning into cattle cake was relaxed; what scientific advice was taken; and if he has any proposals for restoring the regulations in the light of the transmission of scrapie to cattle.

Mr. Maclean

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind) of 14 March,Official Report, column 241.

Mr. Butler

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that red meat from cows is not contaminated by nervous tissue during the slaughtering process.

Mr. Maclean

The Specified Bovine Offal (Prohibition) Regulations 1989 make it an offence to use in food for human consumption any specified bovine offal. This is an ultra-precautionary measure applying to all cattle over six months of age designed to ensure that no material in which the BSE agent, if it is present, is most likely to occur enters human food. The enforcement of standards of practice in slaughterhouses, including the hygienic removal of specified bovine offal, is the responsibility of local authorities. The Ministry is ready to give advice if it is needed and we are considering the issue of guidance.