§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many staff of the Meat Hygiene Service, since 1 April 1995, have been convicted of criminal offences committed during the course of their employment with the Meat Hygiene Service. [HL2929]
§ Lord DonoughueTo the best of our knowledge, no staff have been convicted of criminal offences during the course of their employment with the Meat Hygiene Service.
To ensure that enforcement action is appropriate, reasonable and proportionate, principal official veterinary surgeons (POVSs) acting as circuit supervisors routinely visit plant-based MHS staff to assist them in their enforcement activities.
Should a plant owner or operator believe that inappropriate enforcement action has been taken by MHS staff, they are at liberty to take the matter up with either the POVS, or the MHS regional management team in accordance with MHS complaints and appeals procedures.