Written question asked by Jo Stevens (Labour) on Friday, 19 July 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2019 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Wednesday, 24 July 2019. A substantive answer was provided by Seema Kennedy (Conservative) on Friday, 26 July 2019 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Fish: Hygiene and Safety

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the safety and food hygiene rules for the transport of smoked fish (a) within and (b) to the UK is governed by (i) UK or (ii) EU regulations.

Answer: The longstanding rules governing the transport of food of animal origin, including smoked fish are provided by European Union food safety and hygiene regulations which apply directly to the United Kingdom. This legislation lays down effective and proportionate food safety and hygiene controls throughout the food chain, from primary production to sale or supply to the food consumer. In England, The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 provides for the enforcement of certain provisions of EU food safety hygiene legislation. It also provides national law for certain elements including temperature control in retail establishments. Parallel legislation applies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Secondary information