Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Thursday, 16 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 January 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 27 January 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, what instructions her Department has issued to local authority environment health officers and port health authorities about illegal meat importation.

Answer: Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what instructions her Department has issued to local authority environment health officers and port health authorities about illegal meat importation. [92614] Mr. Morley: The Department produced new enforcement guidance in conjunction with the enforcement agencies. This was published in August 2002 and has just been updated to take account of the new European personal import rules that came into force on 1 January. We are also discussing prosecutions policy with enforcement agencies. The Food Standards Agency has also issued guidance letters to port health authorities and local authorities to ensure there is continued vigilance and checks on imported products both at the point of import and at the retail level. In collaboration with Defra, the FSA is developing a training programme to provide information to all local authorities on imported food issues.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 92614; 398 c557-8W;398 c555-6W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Codes of practice Environmental health Local government Ports Meat Staff Smuggling
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk