§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the abattoirs in England and Wales, identifying(a) those undertaking religious slaughter, (b) the number of visits each has received by his inspectors during the last year and (c) those where inspectors alleged intimidation or threats. [45660]
§ Mr. RookerA list of licensed abattoirs in England and Wales is published in the Meat Hygiene Enforcement Report which is placed in the Library of the House each month. Information is not held on those adopting religious methods of slaughter.
A member of the Meat Hygiene Service inspection team is present every day during operating periods. It would be inappropriate to identify abattoirs where there have been cases of alleged intimidation or threats, but I would refer the right hon. Member to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 4 and 8 June 1998, Official Report, columns 341–43 and 451–52.