23 April 1999
Government spares abattoir charges

THE government is sparing farmers from paying for top-up veterinary inspections in abattoirs over the next year.

Extra inspections of cattle and cattle had been ordered following the crisis over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown, said the deferral was worth £20 million and he hoped it would help smaller farms.

Mr Brown also announced a new round of consultations on the forthcoming shake-up in European Union support for farmers in less favoured areas.