Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 8 December 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 January 1998. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Thursday, 15 January 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, under what circumstances it is permissible to offer as food, beef products which are derived from animals which are over 30 months of age.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances it is permissible to offer as food, beef products which are derived from animals which are over 30 months of age; and if he will make a statement. [20312] Mr. Rooker: The Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) Regulations 1996 permit meat and any products derived from bovine animals which are over 30 months to be offered as food under the following circumstances. Firstly, meat derived from a bovine animal which was born, reared and slaughtered in any of the countries specified in the Schedule to the Regulations i.e., Argentina Australia Botswana Brazil Mauritius Namibia New Zealand Paraguay Poland South Africa Swaziland Uruguay United States of America Zimbabwe. Secondly, meat derived from a bovine animal which was accompanied at the time of slaughter by a slaughter certificate issued under the Beef Assurance Scheme, slaughtered in accordance with the hygiene requirements of the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 and processed in accordance with the Meat Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1994. These exemptions from the over thirty months rule are under continual review.

Secondary information