HC Deb 10 May 1989 vol 152 cc456-7W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that following the establishment of the single market in 1992 thorough checks will be made at United Kingdom ports, airports and rail links to ensure that any consignment of eggs which is contaminated with salmonella is detected and dealt with.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Because the arrangements that will control the movement of eggs within the European Community after 1992 have yet to be decided upon, it would be unhelpful to spell out our plans for that period. However, I assure my hon. Friend that it is our intention to secure equivalence between the standards and inspections in member states to ensure that the interests of our egg producers and consumers are safeguarded.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is taken by his Department when consignments of imported eggs are found to be infected with salmonella.

Mr. Donald Thompson

If a case of salmonella contamination is found in imported eggs, my Department will inform the EC Commission and the member state where the eggs were packed. Where appropriate I will also take the matter up with my opposite number in the member state concerned.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in the latest 12 months for which figures are available consignments of imported eggs have been(a) checked for salmonella infection and (b) found to be infected with salmonella.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Systematic monitoring of imported eggs for salmonella commenced only last month.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement outlining the checks which are made to ensure that salmonella-infected eggs and poultry are not imported into the United Kingdom from other European countries and from other non-European countries.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The systematic monitoring of imported eggs by the port health authorities in conjunction with the public health laboratory service has recently been introduced. Imports are being sampled at a rate which will provide a valid assessment of their bacteriological status. Similar arrangements would not be appropriate for poultrymeat.