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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is on banning the importation of beef, pigmeat and sheepmeat from countries suffering from outbreaks of (a) foot and mouth disease and (b) swine fever. [151916] Ms Quin: The importation into the European Community of fresh meat from third countries is governed by Community legislation. When outbreaks of notifiable disease occur (including both classical swine fever and foot and mouth disease) the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 allow the Government to prohibit the import of meat from a country or part thereof. On notification of an outbreak these Regulations allow the UK to issue a Declaration prohibiting meat from the relevant country or part thereof. They are effective from the date and time of signature and are sent immediately to all enforcement authorities. These Declarations remain in force pending the adoption of appropriate Community legislation. These provisions apply equally to outbreaks in member states and in third countries.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

151916; 364 c480W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Animals Inspections EU law Disease control Hygiene Foot and mouth disease Import controls Imports Meat Meat products Beef Pigmeat Sheep meat Swine fever Notifiable diseases

Link

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