West Devon Meats

HC Deb 09 February 2000 vol 344 cc204-5W

Mr. Breed

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the reasons behind the decision to withdraw from West Devon Meats the contract to slaughter cattle under the over-thirty-months scheme. [101913]

Ms Quin

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: Contracts have been awarded to abattoir to slaughter over-thirty-months scheme (OTMS) animals, effective from 4 January 2000. Decisions were reached following a competitive tender under which bids were evaluated against objective criteria, including quality of service, price, ability to offer a dedicated service, ease of supervision, throughput and locations.

While West Devon Meats scored reasonably well on most criteria, the abattoirs awarded contracts for the throughput and area for which West Devon Meats were considered will provide the service at significantly lower price than that tendered by West Devon Meats.