§ Mr. David HowellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many abattoirs operating in England and Wales conform fully to EC standards;
(2) how many authorised abattoirs operating in England and Wales currently fail to conform to EC standards; and by what date full conformity with these standards will be required.
§ Mr. SoamesIn England and Wales 65 abattoirs fully comply with the EC standards, and 352 abattoirs are operating under temporary derogations from some of the EC structural standards. All premises comply in full with the hygiene standards. Temporary derogations may run for a three-year period up to 31 December 1995, but many premises are scheduled to complete upgrading work well before this date.