§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made as to the equivalence of the qualifications of veterinary officers in each member state of the EC in respect of the hygiene and inspection requirements for fresh meat.
§ Mr. SoamesSince 1978 the Community has had harmonised rules on training requirements and the mutual recognition of veterinary surgeons. They require any member state to allow veterinary surgeons, upon presentation of the correct certification, to practise on their territory.
Other member states have traditionally made more use of veterinary personnel in meat hygiene work. In many instances their salaries are comparatively lower than in the United Kingdom and they are used not only to supervise abattoirs and perform ante-mortem inspections on all animals, but also for post-mortem inspection which will normally continue to be done by meat inspectors in this country.