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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement as to the difference in treatment by the regulatory authorities of (a) imported beef and (b) beef produced in the United Kingdom. [2246] Mr. Rooker: All fresh meat produced in or imported into the United Kingdom must be produced in accordance with harmonised hygiene rules laid down in Council Directive 64/433/EEC (as amended). Also, meat derived from bovines which, at the time of slaughter, were more than 30 months old is prohibited under the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996 for sale for human consumption unless it comes from animals covered by the Beef Assurance Scheme, or born, reared and slaughtered in those third countries specifically excluded by the Regulations where there is no known risk of BSE. In addition, since 1989 there has been a requirement for specified bovine material (SBM) to be removed from bovine animals which have died or been slaughtered in the United Kingdom. SBM is currently defined in the Specified Bovine Material Order 1997 as the whole head (excluding the tongue), spinal cord, spleen, thymus, tonsils and intestines of cattle over six months old and the thymus and intestines of calves under six months. The SBM may not be used in food, animal feed, cosmetic, pharmaceutical or medical products. It has to be stained and disposed of under strictly controlled conditions. On 5 June, following advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced the opening of consultations on an amendment to the 1997 Order, Official Report, column 227-28, which would extend these controls to imported beef, other than from those countries excluded by the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996. This is not an import ban. We intend to implement these measures in late July if agreement to introduce similar Community-wide controls is not forthcoming by then.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

2246; 295 c503-4W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Hygiene Food Import controls BSE Beef