§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Ministry's policy of using only376W veterinary surgeons for ante-mortem inspections accords precisely with the practice followed in all the other EU member states; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. BrowningWe have decided that the meat hygiene service, when it is launched in April, should be allowed to make use of experienced meat inspectors acting under the responsibility of the official veterinary surgeon to assist with the ante-mortem inspection of young animals. The OVS will be required personally to inspect all adult animals and casualty animals, and any other animals detained by the meat inspector for veterinary examination.
We believe that these arrangements will be consistent with the practice in several other member states. All EU member states, including the United Kingdom, accept the principle of veterinary responsibility for hygiene and inspection of fresh meat. Some member states use veterinary surgeons for all meat hygiene and inspection work.