§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of small abattoirs currently not up to EC hygiene standards which will qualify for permanent derogation.
§ Mr. MacleanAll red meat abattoirs in Great Britain currently operate under licences granted by local authorities. With the exception of abattoirs approved for intra-Community trade, records are not routinely mentioned by the Department on the site of individual abattoirs. However, annual statistics derived from State Veterinary Service visits indicate that there are some 222 abattoirs in Great Britain which are eligible to qualify for a permanent structural derogation from the EC single market rules contained in Council directive 91/497/EEC. EC rules on hygiene and inspection apply to all abattoirs whether or not they qualify for a derogation.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of small slaughterhouses and cutting plants currently not up to European Community hygiene standards which will qualify for temporary derogation until the beginning of 1996.
§ Mr. MacleanCouncil directive 91/498/EEC enables member states, subject to approval by the EC standing veterinary committee, to grant temporary structural derogations to red meat slaughterhouses, cutting premises and cold stores of all sizes which are unable to comply with single market rules by 1 January 1993. All premises not currently EC approved may apply for a temporary derogation. However, this is a commercial decision for individual businesses and it is not possible accurately to estimate the likely numbers. The Department has recently made available to businesses a detailed free information pack on the new rules, including an application form for temporary derogations.