HL Deb 13 July 1992 vol 539 cc7-8WA
Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What inspection at retail transit depots is likely to take place in accordance with the proposed Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992 that an Environmental Health Officer would not be qualified to undertake; and

Whether it is their intention to interpret more stringently than other member states the EC Fresh Meat Directive 91/497; and to list any new requirements that are to be imposed on retail transit depots in the United Kingdom and in each other Member State.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)

The EC Fresh Meat Directive 91/497 requires meat in the distribution chain to be stored in approved cold stores. Retail transit depots handling meat will therefore have to be licensed as cold stores and comply with the relevant sections of the proposed Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992. These regulations, which were recently the subject of public consultation, will implement in Great Britain the requirements of the EC directive. Other member states are also preparing national legislation to implement the directive. Although comprehensive information is not available, the Government understand that several member states intend to approve transit depots in accordance with the directive.

Both the EC directive and the proposed implementing regulations provide for the use of inspectors (including environmental health officers) to inspect and supervise licensed cold stores. Such inspectors must act under the authority and responsibility of an official veterinary surgeon, since the directive requires an official veterinarian to be responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements.

The Government attach great importance to consistent enforcement of EC legislation in the single market and will not hesitate to raise the matter with the Commission if there is substantive evidence that other member states are not applying the requirements in the same way as the United Kingdom.