§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government will be requiring
576Wthe removal of brain, spinal cord and intestines from beef imported into the United Kingdom from other countries with BSE amongst their cattle. [24241]
§ Mrs. BrowningThe Beef (Emergency Control) Order 1996, as amended, already prohibits the sale for human consumption of all meat derived from bovines which, at the time of slaughter, were more than 30 months old. This measure applies to all bovines slaughtered after the commencement of the order, whether in the UK or overseas, other than those slaughtered in third countries listed in the schedule to the No. 2 amendment order where the Government are satisfied we can import beef without risk. This exemption does not include any countries where there have been cases of BSE.
As regards bovines less than 30 months of age, some countries with BSE have introduced controls requiring the removal of specified bovine offals. We continue to keep the position under review.