HL Deb 30 March 1999 vol 599 c29WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the impact of the charges due to begin on 1 April on small abattoirs and their viability. [HL1596]

Lord Donoughue

The level of Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) charges to apply in 1999–2000 for hygiene/welfare inspections and for the enforcement of Specified Risk Material controls has yet to be decided. Ministers are still carefully considering proposals made by the MHS to ensure they are fully cost justified. They will then be subject to full consultation with all plant operators. The results of that consultation will be reported back to Ministers who will then take final decisions on the level of the rates to apply and their operative date.