§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the transfer of payment of SRM costs from Government to abattoirs. [20260]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government have concluded that the cost of Specified Risk Material (SRM) enforcement by the Meat Hygiene Service should no longer be borne by the taxpayer. It is in the industry's best interests that controls should be in place, that the costs should be shared fairly, and the industry should contribute towards the cost of enforcement as it already does with hygiene controls. We will be consulting shortly on the legislative proposals to introduce this change from 1 April 1998.