§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations and controls cover the procedure whereby casualty animals are disposed of or are prevented from entering the human food chain; whether he has plans to review or change the procedure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerIt is an offence to sell for human consumption meat which is unfit. In addition the Slaughterhouses (Hygiene) Regulations 1977 require that a veterinary health certificate be issued for animals known or suspected to be injured or diseased, and for carcases of such animals, which are intended to be presented at the slaughterhouse. This certifies that the animal is not affected with any condition, nor has received any medication, which is liable to render the whole carcase unfit for human consumption. The requirement for compulsory certification is subject to certain exemptions relating to injuries of recent origin (such as during transit when a veterinarian will not be available) and, for welfare reasons, to sheep and lamb carcases, where a declaration by the owner is required. It is an offence to allow casualty animals or their carcases to enter a slaughterhouse under any other circumstances.
Meat from carcases which does not pass post-mortem examination or from knacker animals must be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Meat (Sterilisation and Staining) Regulations 1982.
I am already considering whether any changes to the regulations in this area may be desirable.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance he proposes to give farmers in the provision of incinerators and other means of disposing of casualty animals in the light of the new regulations regarding the use of offal.
§ Mr. MacleanIt is the responsibility of farmers to ensure that their casualty animals and fallen stock are disposed of properly in accordance with existing statutory provisions.