§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 1998,Official Report, column 373, concerning charges for veterinary inspections and controls, if he will make it his policy to collect the information necessary to allow comparisons of charges across the member states of the European Union. [30944]
§ Mr. RookerNo. Given the flexibility of the EC rules which apply to charges for veterinary inspections and controls, as well as likely differences in circumstances prevailing in other Member States, and differences in exchange rates, any such comparisons could be misleading, incomplete or inaccurate. As I explained in my previous reply on 12 February 1998,Official Report, column 373 it is the responsibility of the European Commission to ensure that individual Member States comply with their Community obligations.
So far as Great Britain is concerned, I am satisfied that the charges levied by the Meat Hygiene Service in respect of its hygiene inspection are consistent with EC rules, and with the objective that it delivers value for money in the provision of efficient and high quality services.