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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the traceability of natural sausage casings imported into the EU from third countries. [68496] Ms Blears: [holding answer 9 July]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that all imports of meat and meat products from third countries must come from establishments which are approved or authorised by the European Commission and which satisfy the health conditions set out in the relevant EC legislation. Third country imports must enter the European Union through a designated border inspection post, where they are subject to documentary and physical checks. Consignments must be accompanied by commercial documentation indicating the nature of the product, and the name and identification number of the originating plant. EU establishments receiving consignments of products such as natural animal casings are required to keep the accompanying commercial documents for at least one year after receipt and make them available on request to the enforcement authority. These arrangements provide traceability of a consignment of natural animal casings back to the plant of origin. In addition, meat and meat products containing sheep material imported from third countries must be accompanied by a veterinary declaration certifying that the product does not contain, nor is it derived from, specified risk material.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

68496; 390 c355W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Developing countries Contamination EU countries Imports Meat products Sausages

Link

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