§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of increased inspection charges on small abattoirs. [66158]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government recognise that increases in veterinary supervision levels in small abattoirs will have significant cost implications for their operators, and we have received many representations on this issue. The impact on individual premises will depend on the circumstances prevailing at those premises, including the current level of veterinary supervision, the size and throughput of the premises, the complexity and standard of hygiene of operations, and the type of animal being slaughtered. We continue to keep the matter under review and, bearing in mind our EU legal obligations, to seek to minimise the impact on abattoir operators wherever possible.