Written question asked by Michael Jack (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 1998. It was answered by Lord Cunningham of Felling (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, from which countries Britain imports meat from any species in respect of which the abattoirs do not comply precisely with EU requirements. - Inc ref to EC Directive 64/433/EEC. (Holding answer 1 July 1998).

Answer: Mr. Jack: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which countries Britain imports meat from any species in respect of which the abattoirs do not comply precisely with EU requirements. [47854] Dr. John Cunningham: [holding answer 1 July 1998]: Controls on the hygienic production of fresh meat for sale for human consumption are set out in Council Directive 64/433/EEC. This sets out the licensing, structural and veterinary supervision requirements to be applied in all abattoirs in all Member States. Implementation of the requirements is a matter for each Member State. The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that all Member States comply with their Community obligations in properly implementing and applying the Directive. The Directive applies similar requirements on third country establishments wishing to export to the Community. These establishments are also inspected by the Commission to ensure that they comply. They are approved on a Community basis, not by individual Member States.

Secondary information