Written question asked by Judy Mallaber (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 November 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Food Standards Agency has to provide guidance to those involved in the meat trade to (a) improve self-regulation and (b) assist the trade in identifying criminal activity in the distribution of poultry waste.

Answer: Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Food Standards Agency has to provide guidance to those involved in the meat trade to (a) improve self-regulation and (b) assist the trade in identifying criminal activity in the distribution of poultry waste. [137585] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has assisted meat trade organisations in preparing and publicising the Industry Code of Practice on the Production, Handling and Processing of Animal By-Products. The FSA will also in December be discussing with other food trade organisations what further action can be taken to identify and prevent fraudulent diversion of unfit meat into the food chain. In addition, the FSA is commissioning a study into the possible use of a marker in low risk animal by-products, which will enable both industry and enforcers to detect meat which is unfit or not intended for human consumption, but does not prevent the legitimate use of such material, for example, in pet food.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 137585; 413 c1136W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Crime Animal products Contamination Hygiene Food Standards Agency Poultry Meat Trade Waste Poultry meat
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk