§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the forecast cost to the industry of the Meat Hygiene Service for the calendar year 1998; [23703]
(2) what was the total cost to the industry of the Meat Hygiene Service for the calendar year 1997. [23704]
§ Mr. RookerInformation regarding the cost of the Meat Hygiene Service to industry is not available on a calendar year basis. However, the income and expenditure of the Meat Hygiene Service(MHS) is published on a financial year basis in its Annual Report and Accounts.
The total cost of the Meat Hygiene Service to the industry for 1996–1997 was £26 million. Certain MHS enforcement costs, such as for Specified Bovine Material controls, were met by Government.
The latest estimate of the total cost to industry for 1997–98 is £28.7 million. This similarly excludes those MHS costs met by Government.
The MHS budget for 1998–99 is currently being prepared. Figures for 1998–99 are therefore not yet available. However it is proposed that the cost of MHS enforcement of Specified Risk Material controls in 100W licensed premises should also be charged to industry from 1 April 1998. The estimated maximum cost to industry of this proposal is £48 million.