60.
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has recently received about the Poultry Health Regulations.
I have received representations on various aspects of the salmonella control measures, including the cost of testing, the effect on rare breed flocks and the level of compensation paid when flocks are compulsorily slaughtered. There has been recognition of the steps which the Government have been able to take in response to these concerns. Representations have also been received on the European Commission proposal for a Council regulation laying down health rules for the production and placing on the market of fresh poultry meat to replace European Community directive 71/118. Most of the representations have expressed concern about the need for the on-farm production of poultry meat and for uneviserated poultry.