Carmichael meets with meat hygiene service chief executive to discuss future of service in Orkney

3.59.00pm GMT Mon 23rd Nov 2009

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael today met with the Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) Mr Steve McGrath to discuss the future of the service in Orkney.

Mr Carmichael recently received concerning reports regarding the reduction in the number of MHS staff based in Orkney and last month wrote to Mr McGrath asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the matter.Alistair Carmichael MP: Orkney & Shetland

Commenting Mr Carmichael said;

“The meeting with the Meat Hygiene Service Chief Executive lasted for approximately an hour and a half and was positive and constructive. I was pleased that he was prepared to give me an assurance that no changes would be put in place unless and until a robust business case could be demonstrated. I take that to be an acceptance that the procedure followed so far has not yet made that case. I shall wait for further communication from the service with some interest.”