§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of beef imported from the Irish Republic is derived from cattle under 30 months of age. [14771]
§ Mrs. BrowningStatistics on imports of beef are not collected by age of cattle. It is not therefore possible to provide the information requested.
However, the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) Regulations 1996 prohibit 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 applied to bovines slaughtered on or after 29 March 1996, whether in the UK or overseas, other than those born, reared and slaughtered in those third countries specifically excluded by the regulations and listed in the schedule to the regulations. This list of countries is confined to those where the Government are satisfied that we can import beef without risk. It does not include the Republic of Ireland.