§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to change current arrangements for OTMS cattle, with particular reference to the Meat Hygiene Service clean cattle strategy. [25625]
§ Mr. RookerThe Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) Clean Livestock Policy is aimed at improving the standard of cleanliness of livestock presented for slaughter at all slaughterhouses in Great Britain. The slaughter of dirty and/or wet livestock can compromise the hygienic operation of the slaughterhouse. Appropriate action will be taken by MHS staff if dirty or wet animals are presented for slaughter.
Action has been taken to implement the Clean Livestock Policy within the Over Thirty Months Slaughter Scheme. Slaughterhouses processing OTMS cattle are expected to work to the same hygiene standards as those killing for human consumption. This includes the application of the Clean Livestock Policy. However in the case of OTMS animals that would have been rejected for slaughter as too dirty or wet, these are not returned to the farm, but on animal welfare grounds are permitted to be slaughtered.
This approach works well in practice and I have no plans to change the current arrangements as regards the application of the Clean Livestock Policy to OTMS cattle.