§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding(a) the proposed rise in the hourly charge of the Meat Hygiene Service and (b) the need to increase the number of veterinary surgeons employed in slaughterhouses in order to meet EU protocols. [96247]
§ Ms QuinMy Department has received several hundred representations from Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, industry organisations, individual meat plant operators, farmers, consumers and others about the impact of(a) proposals to increase Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) inspection charges, and (b) increased veterinary supervision in meat plants in line with EU requirements.
The Government has listened to these concerns about the future of the slaughtering sector. That is why, as my right hon. Friend the Minister announced in September, the Government has further deferred the introduction of charges for MHS supervision of Specified Risk Material controls until at least April 2002. This represents a saving of some £22 million per year to the industry. Moreover, low throughput slaughterhouses will not be required to have full-time supervision by a vet during post-mortem inspection. The MHS is now reviewing its levels of inspections in individual low throughput premises.
We are also carrying out an Efficiency Review of the MHS under an external chairman and in full consultation with the industry. The results will appear early in the New Year. Furthermore, the Government has set up the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group (the Pooley Group) to advise on how charges and legislation can be adapted to help the industry.
In addition, the Government has sent a copy of the MLC report on meat inspection charges in other Member States to the EU Food Safety Commissioner David Byrne, and urged the Commission to investigate the way in which meat inspection charges are levied in other Member 666W States. In particular, we have urged the Commission to investigate the allegations of subsidy in Italy and non-collection of charges in Spain.