To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits were made on average by meat hygiene inspectors to abattoirs (a) in the first 12 months after the establishment of the Meat Hygiene Service and (b) in the last 12 months.

The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) is responsible for official controls in all approved fresh meat establishments including abattoirs. Since establishment on 1 April 1995, the MHS has carried out these controls in abattoirs through daily attendance to undertake ante and post-mortem inspection of every animal/carcase. The MHS also audits, on a risk based frequency, operator compliance with all relevant legislation.