§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the(a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy purchase British beef for consumption by service personnel stationed in the United Kingdom; and what are the countries of origin of beef purchased by each of the services from overseas. [5989]
§ Mr. SpellarThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Naval Bases and Supply Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
61WLetter from J. A. Trewby to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 30 June 1997:
The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Question about the supply of beef to the Armed Forces stationed in the United Kingdom.The task of procuring food for the Army. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy is contracted to the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI). We do not specify the source of origin from which NAAFI should obtain beef (or any other meat), but expect them to seek the best market price for the product. British meat products are considered equally with all others available on the open market. A range of products including sirloin, forerib, minced and diced beef are normally sourced in the UK. However the Armed Forces' requirement is mainly for frozen products and the majority of beef joints are sourced, on cost grounds, from Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia.