§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the location and capacity of all abattoirs in the United Kingdom, indicating those which are up to European Community standard for the slaughter of animals for export.
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§ Mr. MacleanI am placing in the Library of the House a current list of abattoirs in England and Wales which identifies those which are export approved. The capacity of individual abattoirs will vary according to a variety of factors, although it is estimated that approximately 43 per cent. of British meat production is accounted for by export approved abattoirs.
The Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland have responsibility for abattoirs in those parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what European Community and national assistance is available to abattoir owners to bring them up to European Community standards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanGrants for the improvement of facilities have been available in the past to abattoir owners to help them meet necessary standards. They remain available for investment projects which qualify for assistance under the regional selective assistance scheme or the regional enterprise grant scheme, both of which are administered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.