asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that grant-aided meat export plants are selling to retail outlets on the home market; if he considers this practice to be fair competition to the family butcher; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sale of Meat.
92.
Meat export plants have traditionally sold some of their produce on the home market and I have no evidence that such sales have increased significantly. Any measures to limit competition on the home market would, in any case, be contrary to EC rules of competition.
Export approved plants are required by importing countries to meet very exacting standards regarding structure and hygiene practices and this involves substantial capital investment. The slaughter of animals for export is very different in scale to that of the domestic butcher and their operations are not really comparable.