§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish comparisons of charges made to ensure public health in the slaughter process in the United Kingdom with those prevailing in other EU states. [28114]
§ Mr. RookerThe information requested is not available. Council Directive 85/73/EEC (as amended) on the financing of veterinary inspections and controls, requires Member States to recover the costs of those hygiene inspections conducted at licensed fresh meat premises in accordance with harmonised EC meat hygiene rules. The Directive sets minimum standard charges (in ECUs) applicable in all Member States, for hygiene inspections of red meat, poultry meat and game meat dependent on the species and size of animals being slaughtered. Subject to meeting specified criteria, such as the efficiency of operations at individual plants, the Directive provides for the standard charge to be abated by up to 55 per cent. Conversely, where the actual cost of inspection exceeds the standard charge, the Directive provides for actual costs to be charged. Similar principles apply in respect of charges for cutting plants. The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that individual Member States comply with their Community obligations.