§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will publish the European Commission's response to his letter seeking clarification on the existence of derogations for smaller abattoirs and cutting plants which go beyond purely structural requirements; [88232]
(2) if the low-throughput abattoirs identified under Directive 64/433 are required to have the same level of veterinary supervision as the fully approved premises defined in Article 10 of the same directive. [88233]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 28 June 1999]: The level and frequency of supervision of licensed low throughput (permanently derogated) slaughterhouses and cutting plants is under consideration as part of the Meat Charges Impact Study following recent guidance on this subject from the European Commission. An announcement will be made once the Study is completed. A copy of the Commission's guidance will be placed in the Library of the House at that time.