HC Deb 07 March 1995 vol 256 c118W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to implement the two-year extension to the deadline for abattoirs to meet EU structural requirements; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Browning

The deadline for abattoirs to meet EU structural requirements remains 31 December 1995. The December Agriculture Council agreed in principle a package of amendments to the fresh meat directive which cannot be formally adopted until the European Parliament's opinion has been delivered and considered. That package would confirm the 31 December 1995 deadline, but would allow member states to extend it in exceptional circumstances where plants which are in the process of upgrading cannot complete the work for reasons outside their control. If these provisions are adopted, the Government will therefore consider exercising a small degree of flexibility only in exceptional circumstances.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the capacities for EU certified slaughterhouses in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Browning

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 16 January 1995 to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler),Official Report, column 364.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many abattoirs there were in 1993 and 1994; and how many of these met European Community standards.

Mrs. Browning

All abattoirs are licensed in accordance with the terms of European Community directives laying down the hygiene, operation supervision and structural conditions of abattoirs, so that they all meet European Community standards.

At the end of 1993, there were 433 licensed red meat abattoirs in England of which 60 were fully approved to trade throughout the Community; 187 were full throughput premises with temporary derogations; and 186 were low throughput premises. At the end of 1994, there were 424 licensed red meat abattoirs in England of which 78 were fully approved; 154 had temporary derogations; and 192 were low throughput. Low throughput premises and premises with temporary derogations are approved to trade on the national market.