ANIMAL rights campaigners are to demonstrate outside the York offices of the Meat Hygiene Service tomorrow, demanding access to Britain's slaughterhouses.

Protesters from across the North of England are due to gather at the service's national headquarters in Peasholme Green.

The protesters, from the group Viva! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals), said they would be dressed as animals and "slaughtermen", nearly a year after their last demonstration.

Viva! said it was still not satisfied with the response from the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) to a film of undercover footage of UK abattoirs which it presented to the service a year ago.

It said the film shows animals being inadequately stunned and regaining consciousness.

It has also complained of delays in the response to its allegations.

But in a letter to Viva!, MHS chief executive Chris Lawson said its vets believed it was not possible to determine whether any animal on the film regained consciousness.

He said that the foot and mouth outbreak began before the investigation into the allegations was completed, leading to delays.

Viva! also said it had support from a senior meat inspector still working for the service.

The man, who did not want to be named, said more support should be given to inspectors when they discovered poor working practices.

But an MHS spokesman said it worked with the public service union, Unison, to prevent "bullying" of its staff by plant operators.

If it did occur, the MHS had powers to close plants and would also bring in the police if needed.

"We have always backed our staff 100 per cent," he added.

Viva! has also written to the MHS demanding the right to make unannounced visits to abattoirs and to take video footage. It says that this is the only way to ensure the industry is subjected to "greater public scrutiny".

Becky Smith, senior campaigner, said: "The only reason this whole bloody business is allowed to continue is because it is shrouded in secrecy. We managed to make undercover visits to three abattoirs and film openly and each time we witnessed serious problems."

But the MHS spokesman said the inspection demand would require a change in the law.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, August 29, 2001