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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has made representations concerning the non-compliance of Brazil with EU residue testing and veterinary certification requirements. [101571] Mr. Morley: Following the detection of nitrofurans in poultry meat imported from Brazil, the EU has introduced legislation requiring all consignments of poultry meat from Brazil to be tested to ensure that the products concerned do not present a hazard to human health. No poultry meat from Brazil is permitted to enter the community unless the results of these checks are favourable. Any poultry meat that tests positive for nitrofurans or their metabolites will be destroyed. The UK has implemented the provisions of this decision. The European Commission is engaged in discussions with the Brazilian authorities and my Department is monitoring the situation. All meat imported into the UK from third countries must enter at designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) where it is subject to veterinary inspections. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and at least 20 per cent. of consignments undergo physical checks. These ensure import conditions are met and that the products remain in a satisfactory condition during transport. If during the documentary check, a problem is found with the accompanying veterinary certification, appropriate action will be taken.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

101571; 401 c372W;401 c372-3W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

EU external trade Imports Meat Standards Testing Veterinary services Poultry meat Brazil Residues

Link

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