Vol. 488 No. 7
162 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if closure of small abattoirs, mostly family owned, will be allowed to continue throughout the country as a result of the failure to provide grant assistance towards their upgrading as required under an EU directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7205/98]
Regulations to implement fully the requirements of Council Directives 91/497/EEC and 95/23/EC came into effect on 4 February. Abattoir operators are required to meet the hygiene provisions of these regulations within their next licensing period which is normally 12 months duration. Standard operating procedures have been drawn up which will ensure that any costs involved for small abattoirs slaughtering less than six livestock units per week will be minimised.
