§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is(a) the overall cost to date and (b) the average annual cost per farm of deboning beef products as a result of the ban on sales of beef on the bone. [57503]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 2 November 1998]: Under the Beef Bones Regulations 1997, deboning may take place in the course of a business at any food premises, including farm shops selling meat, before sale to the ultimate consumer. The estimated costs of these controls were set out in the Regulatory Appraisal which 665W accompanied the Regulations when they were presented to Parliament. A copy is available in the Library of the House. No costs were included or are available for deboning beef on farms as these, with the exception of farm shops, are not food premises as defined in the Food Safety Act 1990 where beef can be deboned.