Written question asked by Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 April 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 April 2012. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Meat

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish any advice he has received on whether the production of desinewed meat complies with EU single market legislation.

Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which has policy responsibility in this area, issued guidance in 2010 which reflected the United Kingdom view that desinewed meat (DSM) is distinct from mechanically separated meat (MSM). This is the view the UK has expressed in European Commission (EC) Working Groups.Following a Food and Veterinary Office mission in March 2012, the UK was informed by the EC that desinewed meat can no longer be produced from ruminant bones and that DSM made from poultry or pork bones should be labelled as MSM. The FSA has explained the EC decision in detail to industry and is working closely with industry representatives to assess the impact of the decision and produce guidance.

Secondary information