§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which(a) countries of the present European Union and (b) applicant countries allow meat inspection by the meat industry. [133119]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonEuropean Union legislation, that applies to all member states and will apply to applicant countries on their accession, requires meat inspection to be carried out by the official competent authorities. The legislation does not allow the meat industry to carry out meat inspection. However, the legislation does permit, in some circumstances, trained plant staff to assist with post-mortem inspection of poultry and rabbits, but only under the direct supervision of the official veterinarian. This system of inspection is currently in place in a number of United Kingdom poultry plants.
737WInformation about the extent to which the meat industry in other member states makes use of this provision and the current situation in applicant countries is not available.