§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abattoirs and meat processing plants have failed to pay inspection charges in the last 12 months for completed inspections in the last two years. [22668]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 13 December 2001]: Approximately 1,100 of 1,400 licensed fresh meat plants are currently operating in Great Britain. Of these, 11 companies operating licensed fresh meat plants have failed to make any payments to the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) in the period November 2000 to date for their inspection charges. These premises comprise five red meat full throughput slaughterhouses, one poultry meat full throughput slaughterhouse, one red meat low throughput slaughterhouse, three red meat full throughput cutting plants, and one poultry meat low throughput cutting plant. The total debt owed by these 11 companies is £468,652.21.
122WTwo of the 11 companies are still operating, but the other nine have ceased trading. The MHS has taken legal action against both of the companies that are still operating and has received Judgment against one, which will potentially lead to the withdrawal of service by the MHS. In the other case, proceedings are currently stayed pending receipt of fresh information from the defendant, as directed by the judge.
In respect of the nine companies which have ceased trading:
two companies have entered into voluntary arrangements;two companies went into liquidation before the MHS could obtain Judgment;The MHS obtained Judgment against three companies which subsequently went into liquidation;The MHS obtained Judgment against one company, however the Sheriff was unable to seize any goods as the company had ceased trading. Any further action by the MHS would not be cost effective in relation to the size of the debt (£3,195.43);One company owner was the subject of a bankruptcy order petitioned for by another creditor.