Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Thursday, 16 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 February 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 February 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions were made for seizures of illegal meats and bushmeat in 2002 at (a) airports and (b) seaports. - Inc fact that figures are not collected centrally and ref to Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations.

Answer: Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions were made for seizures of illegal meats and bushmeat in 2002 at (a) airports and (b) seaports. [92588] Mr. Morley: Figures on prosecutions for the illegal importation of meat are not collected centrally. Responsibility for prosecutions under the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations lies with local authorities, and under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, with HM Customs. We are aware of one successful prosecution brought by Crawley borough council in July, and six cautions issued by the London Port Health Authority in October. All were brought under the Products of Animal Origin regulations. There were no prosecutions made in 2002 under CITES regulations.

Secondary information