---

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries where farm animal diseases are widespread from which (a) meat, (b) meat products, (c) poultry and (d) poultry products are imported, indicating the country and disease together with the amount imported over the last year for which figures are available; and what plans he has to ban such imports. [156409] Ms Quin: The Community's animal and public health import requirements for animal products include disease control provisions. In particular these relate to the List A notifiable diseases of the Office International des Epizooties which include foot and mouth disease, and classical swine fever among others. Unless third countries can demonstrate that they have veterinary and public health facilities to cope with possible outbreaks of these diseases they will not be eligible to export animal products into the Community. Imports of meat and poultry and their products are allowed from third countries which have outbreaks of diseases, but only if they can attest and demonstrate that they have in place animal and public health safeguard measures as laid down in Community law. Where any of these measures are not met the UK will prohibit the import of products which may cause risk to public or animal health. My officials are preparing information on the amount of imports into the UK last year of meat and poultry and their products from countries or parts thereof which have had outbreaks of List A diseases in the last year. I will write to the hon. Member with this information in the near future and place a copy in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

368 c224W; 156409

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Animal products Diseases EU law Environmental health Disease control Foot and mouth disease Imports Poultry Meat Pigs Meat products Veterinary services Poultry meat

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk