§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) in how many cases reports of bullying, intimidation and threats by staff or employees of abattoirs against veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Service staff have been referred to officers of the342W Crown Prosecution Service with a view to prosecution; and in how many cases prosecutions have taken place in the last year; [43379]
(2) how many incidents of intimidation, threats and bullying by owners or employees of abattoirs of Meat Hygiene Service staff and veterinarians have been referred to the police in the last year. [43378]
§ Mr. RookerCases of intimidation against Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) staff are referred to the Investigations Branch of MAFF Legal for investigation with a view to prosecution for obstruction or assault under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995. Two successful prosecutions have been taken for obstruction.
The first successful prosecution for assault has been taken. I referred to this case when winding up the Common Agricultural Policy debate on 21 May 1998, Official Report, column 1174.
One case of alleged assault against a former MHS employee has been referred to the police by MAFF Investigation Officers. This case is now being investigated with a view to consideration of prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service in the criminal courts.
Other allegations of intimidation are currently under consideration by MAFF Investigation Officers.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to close down abattoirs where Meat Hygiene Service staff or veterinarians have been subject to intimidation, bullying, or threats from abattoir owners or employees. [43377]
§ Mr. RookerAny form of intimidation of Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) staff, and in particular that which prevents staff from carrying out their duties to protect public health, is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All available measures are used against those responsible, and, in all possible cases, the MHS refers incidents for investigation with a view to prosecution. Obstruction of MHS staff in the performance of their duties is an offence under section 33 (1) of the Food Safety Act 1990. Serious cases of assault are referred to the police.
In accordance with EU rules, current GB meat hygiene legislation provides for the mandatory licensing (by the GB Agriculture Departments) of all abattoirs, cutting plants and cold stores producing meat which is intended for sale for human consumption. Although this legislation provides powers for Ministers to revoke such licences in certain specified circumstances, notably in respect of hygiene failures, these circumstances do not include intimidation, bullying or threats to MHS staff from the owners or operators of licensed premises or from their employees.
Nevertheless, the assault of MHS staff in the course of carrying out their duties at licensed premises would probably amount to the hampering of adequate health inspection for the purposes of the GB meat hygiene legislation. In such circumstances MHS staff have powers to serve a notice on the operator of the premises prohibiting the use of the part or parts of the premises concerned until such time as it is clear that the safety of MHS staff is secured. The effect of such 343W action could result in the stopping of some or all of the production of the premises involved. Because the Government will not tolerate assaults on MHS staff, I have instructed the MHS to remind the industry of the powers available, and that where the MHS exercises those powers, it will do so with the full support of Ministers.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many incidents of intimidation, threats and bullying against representatives of the Meat Hygiene Service veterinarians by employees or owners of abattoirs have occurred in the last year; [43375]
(2) if he will establish an inquiry into the scale of bullying, threats and intimidation by abattoir owners or staff against Meat Hygiene Service staff or veterinarians. [43380]
§ Mr. RookerNo information is available on the number of instances of intimidation, threats and bullying against Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) staff which have occurred in the last year.
However, to get a better understanding of the true extent of instances of intimidation of its staff, the Meat Hygiene Service, together with UNISON, has sent out a Violence/Intimidation at Work Questionnaire to all its operational staff. The survey sought information on the number of instances of threats, verbal abuse and harassment as well as physical attack or injury that MHS staff had been subject to since 1 April 1995.
The questionnaire was sent to the 1,500 operational staff of the MHS. The provisional results of the survey indicate that staff have reported 403 instances of some form of intimidation and violence since 1 April 1995, the date the Agency was launched. This comprises 273 instances relating to verbal threat or abuse and 130 to more serious instances of injury to MHS staff, physical threat with a weapon, racial and sexual harassment and damage to personal property.
The results of the survey will inform future policy on the issue of intimidation/violence in the workplace.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from staff of the Meat Hygiene Service and veterinarians concerning bullying by owners and staff of abattoirs. [43381]
§ Mr. RookerThe Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) Chief Executive has expressed his concern to me about these unacceptable instances of intimidation and threats against MHS staff. The MHS takes the health and safety and welfare of its staff very seriously and will take any and all necessary action to prevent intimidation in the workplace.
At my request, the MHS keeps me fully aware of all instances of intimidation, abuse and assault against MHS staff by abattoir owners and staff.
As my hon. Friend will note from other answers I have given him today, we are taking the issue seriously and support and encourage the MHS to take a robust line on behalf of MHS staff carrying out their vital duties on behalf of the public.
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