I recognise the compelling point that my hon. Friend has made. Supervision by official veterinarians —[Interruption.]—if I can get the word right—or veterinary consultants, is important. I apologise; I have had a rather heavy St. David's day lunch.

Veterinary ante-mortem inspections is an important part of improving public protection and helping the meat market to compete in the single market. Such inspection can diagnose conditions not visible at a post-mortem. I am satisfied that by relating veterinary inspection at slaughterhouses to throughput and standards of operation and by concentrating the arrangements for veterinary attendance at low-throughput premises on ante-mortem inspection, we have struck about the right balance. However, I appreciate the issues raised by my hon. Friend.