HC Deb 07 May 2002 vol 385 cc124-5W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the Food Standards Agency has met its service delivery agreement target to set new targets for the Meat Hygiene Service; [49478]

(2) with reference to the 2000 spending review service delivery agreement targets, what annual targets have been set for the Meat Hygiene Service to ensure the application of clean livestock policy, health marking and strict enforcement of specified risk material controls. [49234]

Yvette Cooper

Performance targets for the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) for the year 2001–02 were agreed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) board in May 2001. The targets were placed in the Libraries of the House, announced by FSA press release and put onto the FSA website, on 15 May 2001. Among others, the targets required the MHSto fully apply the Clean Livestock Policy; not to apply the health mark stamp to any meat showing visible faecal or alimentary tract contents contamination; to strictly enforce the specified risk material controls in licensed meat plants.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the new targets for the Meat Hygiene Service, referred to on page 36 of the 2001 Food Standards Agency report, have been met; [49221]

(2) if the service delivery agreement target of the Food Standards Agency to ensure that specified risk material controls are fully enforced, and to improve ante- and post-mortem inspections, has been met. [49248]

Yvette Cooper

Information on the performance of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) against its targets for the year ended 31 March 2001, including that in relation to the enforcement of specified risk material controls, is currently being assembled in order for an assessment to be carried out and reported to the board of the Food Standards Agency. The outcome will be published in the MHS's annual report and accounts which will be laid before Parliament before the House rises for the summer.

As regards improving ante- and post-mortem inspections, the FSA confirms that the MHS achieved full-time veterinary supervision in all full throughput abattoirs in line with EU requirements as from November 2001. This subject was dealt with in more detail in an answer given to the hon. Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) on 8 January 2002. Official Report, columns 634–35.