§ 18. Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about contingency plans in the event of a strike by meat hygiene inspectors. [67813]
§ Mr. RookerContingency Plans were drawn up to minimise the effect of industrial action by some Meat Hygiene Service staff. Food safety, public health and animal welfare were fully protected.
The MHS strictly enforced meat hygiene, specified risk material and animal welfare Regulations in all licensed plants whether or not they were able to operate on the day of strike action. The Contingency Plans were successful in achieving their objectives for the GB meat industry as a whole.
§ 24. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for studies of the work of meat inspectors. [67820]
§ Mr. RookerThere are no proposals for studies of the work of meat inspectors with respect to the relationship between the inspectors and plant operators.
The Meat Hygiene Service is an enforcement Agency carrying out a difficult but crucial job of protecting public health and animal welfare occasionally in a hostile environment. The MHS seeks to work in co-operation with plant management rather than confrontation. A balance must be struck between effective enforcement and unnecessary over-regulation and I believe that the MHS is getting it right.