§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with(a) industry representatives, (b) the Food Standards Agency and (c) others in respect of the regulatory framework which applies to (i) mobile slaughter operators and (ii) the livestock farmers who employ them. [136263]
§ Mr. BradshawThe public health aspects of the slaughter of animals for human consumption are a matter for the Food Standards Agency. The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (as amended) require that no person shall carry on the business of a slaughterhouse unless the premises are licensed under the Regulations. Furthermore the Regulations also require that no person shall sell fresh meat for human consumption unless it has been slaughtered in a licensed slaughterhouse. Consequently it is unlawful for a mobile licensed slaughter man to kill and dress an animal for human consumption outside of licensed premises. At a meeting in February this year, at which Defra officials were present, the Agency explained the regulatory framework to representatives of the National Farmers Union. Subsequently officials from both the Department and the Agency participated in a meeting arranged by the Union, at which representatives of the Union and former mobile slaughter operators were present, to discuss how the framework could apply to the licensing of mobile slaughterhouses.
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§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from(a) industry representatives and (b) others in respect of regulations which apply to mobile slaughter operators. [136264]
§ Mr. BradshawThe National Farmers Union, Members of Parliament and members of the public have been in contact with the Department about the regulatory framework that applies to the slaughter of animals for human consumption and in particular the private kill of animals on farm.