Maintaining high standards of meat hygiene is vitally important for the consumer and the farmer alike in Wales. To maintain the standards that we expect, independent inspections from a body not connected to the slaughterhouses are vital. I was disappointed when the European Council over-ruled the Parliament a few years ago, and allowed poultry and rabbit abattoirs to regulate themselves. With red meat hygiene inspections legislation set for review in 2011, I am working with my colleagues to ensure the same thing does not happen in this sector.

Last week in the Parliament, I had asked the Commission to come to the Environment, Health and Food safety committee to answer my concerns on this matter. I asked them to agree that meat safety inspectors must be independent and properly funded - any move towards private inspection will lead to a decline in standards. Guaranteeing the quality of meat is a public health concern on which we should not compromise. I was glad that the Commission agreed with my viewpoint that inspections should remain independent - this is a victory for the consumer and for those, such as Unison, that are campaigning for such an outcome.

The inspection industry of course needs to change. The present one is based on the standards of sixty years ago, and we must remember that the most problematic diseases of the time have now been eradicated. There are many problems with inspections, blamed by the Commission on the economic crisis. A report published last year showed many failings in the present system where inspections miss such basic health and safety issues as faeces remaining on carcasses set for slaughter and hearts not being checked.

I have discussed this issue with Unison and Hybu Cig Cymru and know that the farming unions and consumer organisations in Wales have presented their evidence to the Welsh Assembly. Everyone is interested in improving the current legislation, but we need to decide how. I know it has been suggested that the slaughterhouses take on the every day responsibilities for animal welfare issues and independent inspectors concentrate on audits and inspections of plants that pose the most risk for example.

We need to look at all of the options, including the funding possibilities. Any additional costs cannot all be passed on to the farmer or the slaughterhouses. 34 slaughterhouses have closed in Wales in the last twenty years; I do not want to see more closing down because of any extra charges a change in the inspection system would entail. I know that some countries in the EU pass on the cost to the consumer. Others like the NFU believe that the government should pay in order to guarantee public health.

An impact assessment is currently underway to consider a harmonised European approach to inspections. Following the result of this and other consultations, the Commission told me that new legislation will be presented to the Parliament in 2011.

The Welsh Assembly Government's Rural Development sub-committee recommend that public confidence in abattoirs will only be maintained through independent inspectors. I agree, and will be following the legislation closely to ensure that we get the best system for the consumer, the farmer and the abattoirs.

Ends.