Meat Hygiene Service

HC Deb 31 January 1994 vol 236 cc558-9W

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people there are in her Department's meat hygiene service.

Mr. Soames

The meat hygiene service will be an agency of MAFF and will be launched in April 1995, taking over hygiene and welfare responsibilities in fresh meat plants from 300 local authorities. It will employ up to 1,300 plant-based staff, a saving of some 5 per cent. on current numbers. Management and administrative support will total no more than about 70, which will be less than is currently required.

At present approximately 230 man years are devoted to meat hygiene policy and its implementation within the core Department. This level of effort will be reduced significantly after the setting up of the meat hygiene service.