Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what system of inspection is in operation to examine imports of pig products from Belgium, France, Denmark, Netherlands and Germany for(a) swine fever, and (b) antibiotic residues; and what controls are applied to imports of pig products from (i) Great Britain and (ii) the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 1 February 1988]: Imports into Northern Ireland of pig products from Belgium, France, Denmark, Netherlands and West Germany are subject to licensing controls operated by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland in accordance with the rules of intra-Community trade which preclude pigmeat from areas affected with swine fever (or meat in contact with such meat) and meat containing antibiotics residues.
These controls provide for examination by the Department of the veterinary health certification required to accompany consignments and of the product itself at points of entry to Northern Ireland. All documentation is inspected to ensure that EC directive requirements are fully satisfied. Similar controls apply in the case of imports from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
Imports into Northern Ireland from outside the United Kingdom of pig products, as foods intended for sale for human consumption, are also liable to examination by authorised officers of district councils under the Imported Food (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1984. Such foods must be marked with a health mark which has been recognised by the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland and must be accompanied by a health certificate in a format set out in the regulations.