§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received from the Food Standards Agency about the Restriction on Pithing (England) Regulations 2000 with particular reference to the impact on working practices in abattoirs. [139649]
§ Ms StuartThe Food Standards Agency has advised that many abattoirs may have to modify their current working practices to compensate for the ban on pithing. I understand that to minimise the risk of injury to staff from involuntary kicking by stunned animals, abattoirs will need to hoist and slaughter animals very quickly after stunning. To achieve a short stun to slaughter time modifications may be required to enable staff to operate out of the range of kicks. In some cases this may mean abattoirs will have to adapt buildings and/or equipment.
The Food Standards Agency is undertaking a consultation exercise on the introduction of the Restriction on Pithing (England) Regulations 2000. One of the main purposes of the consultation exercise is to obtain information, direct from stakeholders, on the potential effects the new legislation will have. The Agency will advise me if any additional information is obtained by this exercise which closes on 30 November.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has been made as to the likely rise in the number of days employees in abattoirs may be absent as a result of the prohibition on pithing. [139617]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 22 November 2000]: No estimate has been made as to the possible rise in employee absence in abattoirs following the introduction of the pithing ban.
The Food Standards Agency is leading the consultation exercise on the introduction of the Restriction on Pithing Regulations (2000). One of the main purposes of the consultation exercise is to obtain information, direct from stakeholders, on the potential effects the new legislation will have. Once the consultation exercise ends on 30 November more information may be available.
889W
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on the commercial liability of abattoirs of the Restriction on Pithing (England) Regulations 2000 with specific reference to(a) small abattoirs and (b) large abattoirs; and if he will make a statement. [139619]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 22 November 2000]: The Food Standards Agency is conducting a consultation exercise on the introduction of the Restriction on Pithing (England) Regulations 2000.
One of the main purposes of the consultation is to obtain information, direct from those most affected, on the possible impact of the new legislation. The consultation documents specifically request information on the financial implications to both small and large abattoirs, and in particular asks if modifications to slaughterline procedures will be required.
Once the consultation exercise ends on 30 November, the Agency will closely examine the responses it has received and make an assessment on the commercial impact on abattoirs of all sizes.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate has been made as to the number of employees in abattoirs likely to suffer injury as a result of the prohibition on pithing; [139620]
(2) if the prohibition of pithing under the Restriction on Pithing (England) Regulations 2000 will create a significant increase in risk to the safety of employees in abattoirs. [139622]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 22 November 2000]: The Food Standards Agency is conducting a consultation exercise on the introduction of the Restriction of Pithing Regulations (2000). As part of this exercise the Agency is seeking information on the potential impact of the Regulations including any possible impact on worker safety.
Pithing is currently practised in many abattoirs to immobilise stunned animals to reduce the risk of worker injury through involuntary kicking.
Safety in the workplace is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). I understand the HSE is, in collaboration with the meat industry, developing guidelines and procedures that will help to minimise any potential risk to abattoir employees.
§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the basis is for his policy forbidding the use of pithing in abattoirs; [139618]
(2) if the practice of pithing bovine animals in abattoirs gives rise to a significant risk to human health. [139623]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 22 November 2000]: The ban on pithing is being introduced as part of a wider package of measures which implement European Union Decision 2000/418/EC. The Food Standards Agency advises me that, overall, these measures will provide benefit to consumers in terms of further reducing the risk of possible exposure to BSE infectivity. This is also the view of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee.
890WThe ban was included in the EU Decision on the advice of the Commission's Standing Veterinary Committee, following research that found that pithing could give rise to the contamination of blood with small fragments of brain tissue. This, in turn, could lead to the contamination of the edible parts of the carcase.