§ Mr. David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about recommendations in the Food Standard Agency's HACCP and food safety in slaughterhouses report concerning the 137W replacing of independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection; and what response he has made. [154690]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 28 March 2001]I am advised that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) distributed a draft report on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and food safety in slaughterhouses to various stakeholder organisations and individuals attending a workshop arranged by the FSA in November last year. The draft report covered a wide range of issues relating to the European Commission's (EC) desire to introduce a new approach to the management of food safety in red and white meat slaughterhouses. The issues covered in the report included a suggested approach to the implementation of a HACCP based system in slaughterhouses; the need to reflect the fact that current meat inspection procedures do not adequately control microbiological hazards in meat, the responsibilities of operators; official inspection, supervision and enforcement and the need for the control regime to adapt to the new requirements. Comments on the draft report were received from the UNISON representative at the workshop and these have been noted.
The EC has subsequently published a working document (entitled "The Development of Risk-Based Meat Inspection System") which is intended to form the basis of a EC proposal for new legislation on meat inspection. The EC intends to submit such a proposal by September 2001. The FSA will now seek to discuss with stakeholder organisations the approach to be taken when negotiations on that proposal eventually begin.
§ Mr. David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had(a) at the Council of Ministers and (b) with the European Commission on Commission proposals to replace independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection; and if he will make a statement; [154691]
- (2) if he will seek independent advice on the impact of European Commission proposals to replace independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection; [154692]
- (3) if he will make it his policy to ensure that European Commission proposals to replace independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection are introduced by means of an EU directive; and if he will make a statement; [154693]
- (4) what assessment he has made of the benefits of the European Commission proposals to replace independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection by EU directive; and if he will make a statement; [154694]
- (5) if he will list the EU countries which have indicated (a) support and (b) opposition to EU proposals to replace independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection; [154698]
- (6) what discussions he has had with (a) EU representatives and (b) Food Standards Agency officials on the impact on animal welfare of European Commission proposals to replace independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection; [154695]
- (7) if it is Government policy to transfer responsibility for (a) animal welfare and (b) BSE controls in abattoirs and meat plants to the meat industry; [154696]
138W - (8) what discussions he has had with European Union partners on the issue of replacing independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection; and if he will make a statement. [154697]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer sent 28 March 2001]I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the European Commission (EC) has not issued any proposals to replace independent Government meat inspection with industry inspection. Although it has issued a draft regulation on official controls for products of animal origin, as part of a package of proposals to amend and consolidate all existing European Union food hygiene legislation, this largely repeats the current inspection and supervision provisions in meat plants. This draft regulation has yet to be discussed in the European Council working groups in Brussels.
However, in recognition of the fact that current meat inspection procedures do not adequately control microbiological hazards in meat, the EC has prepared a working document entitled "The Development of a Risk-based Meat Inspection System", which the FSA circulated to stakeholders in January. This document, which is the product of discussions held by the EC with independent experts and officials from member states, including officials from the FSA, is intended to form the basis for a EC proposal for new legislation on meat inspection. It follows the general principle that food operators have the primary responsibility for food safety and must guarantee that food safety hazards are under control through the successful application of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) -based system.
The working document proposes that the competent authority should remain present in slaughterhouses for reasons of animal health, animal welfare, public health and consumer confidence. However, it suggests certain elements of ante- and post-mortem inspection could be integrated into the HACCP system. The EC aims to publish the proposal by September 2001 in the form of a draft regulation. This is in line with its policy to achieve uniform implementation across all EU countries. The views of member states will be established during the course of subsequent negotiations at official level.
The FSA, which provides independent advice to the Government and consumers on food safety matters, will represent the United Kingdom at those negotiations. The FSA will consult widely once the EC's proposals have been published, including taking advice from Agriculture Departments who are responsible for animal health and welfare controls in slaughterhouses. The FSA believes there may be food safety benefits from integrating some aspects of meat inspection into HACCP plans, but would not countenance changes to the present system which did not fully protect consumers, or which effectively allowed the meat industry to police itself.