Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 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, pursuant to his oral statement of 1st February, Official Report, 362 c524, on the banning of imports, how many of the precedents cited related to the legal grounds of (a) animal health and (b) public morality. - (Holding answer 26 February 2001).

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement of 1 February 2001, Official Report, column 524, on the banning of imports, how many of the precedents cited related to the legal grounds of (a) animal health and (b) public morality. [150876] Mr. Nick Brown: [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The then Government's stated rationale for banning imports of turkeys from France was the potential risk to animal health in relation to Newcastle disease. This argument was rejected by the European Court of Justice. Neither of the other two cases cited related to the imposition of import bans. In one case, a judicial review against Government for not banning veal calf exports on public morality grounds was not upheld. In the other, restrictions on the ability of non-UK EU fishermen to operate vessels on the UK register was deemed unlawful by the European Court of Justice.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 368 c459W;368 c459-60W; 150876
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Animal welfare Agriculture Fishing vessels Import controls France Poultry
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk