Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many inspectors are employed to check imports of (a) meat and meat products and (b) fruit and vegetables at Southampton; what percentage of containers or loads are inspected; how many shipments have been rejected in the past year; what was the country of (i) production and (ii) export; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer 23 March 2001).

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inspectors are employed to check imports of (a) meat and meat products and (b) fruit and vegetables at Southampton; what percentage of containers or loads are inspected; how many shipments have been rejected in the past year; what was the country of (i) production and (ii) export; and if he will make a statement. [155118] Ms Stuart: [holding answer 23 March 2001]: At present, data from enforcement authorities in respect of imported food are not separately identified. Under the terms of the new Framework Agreement between the Food Standards Agency and local food authorities, recently agreed, information specifically on imported foods will be available, but not before 2002. Checks at Southampton port on meat, meat products, fruit and vegetables imported from third countries are the responsibility of the Port Health Authority. Imports of these foods from member states of the European Union are not subject to border controls. Imports of meat and meat products from other EU member states are subject to random checks at their point of destination within the United Kingdom.

Secondary information