§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sum of money has been made available by his Department to meet costs of hygiene testing at or near shellfish farming sites in pursuance of EC directive 492.
§ Mr. SackvilleI have been asked to reply.
The Department has made funds available in 1991–92 and 1992–93 to assist with the initial classification of shellfish harvesting areas in England and Wales required by this directive.
Funds have been allocated to the Public Health Laboratory Service to enable additional microbiological examinations of shellfish to be made without charge to local authorities. The Department has also offered assistance, to local authorities that request it, with the costs of collection of shellfish samples, contributing to such costs as boat hire and transport of samples. Local authorities are expected to meet their own manpower costs.
In the last two financial quarters—January to June 1992—total funding under these two schemes has amounted to £222,500. The Department will shortly be inviting bids from local authorities for the next quarter.