Abattoirs

Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts

Monday 11th July 2011 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, smaller abattoirs are extremely important to the rural economy, as the noble Countess rightly says. They are more likely to be rural. The support to be provided to those abattoirs processing up to 5,000 cattle—a higher threshold than was previously proposed—is intended to help preserve the provision of local services to the livestock industry. That will helpfully reduce the impact on small livestock producers, the rural economy, animal welfare and indeed consumer choice. As regards mobile abattoirs, I am not aware what initiatives are being undertaken, although I believe that there are a few around, so it will be necessary for me to seek further advice on that point.

[Lord Campbell-Savours]

My Lords, was not this so-called risk-based approach used in the monitoring of care homes? Has that not been a disaster?

[Earl Howe]

No, my Lords, it has not been a disaster. It is sensible to look at accreditation and such devices to ensure that regulation is directed where it is most needed.