§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a Government health warning will be issued on the risk of E. Coli and salmonella poisoning from eating French turkeys without adequate precautions. [101078]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 2 December 1999]: The risk of food poisoning from poultry can be avoided by observing the simple rules of food hygiene, in accordance with on-going Government advice. We have no evidence to indicate that turkeys from France pose any greater risk than turkeys from elsewhere.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of turkey meat has been imported from France in each of the past three years; and what is the estimate for 1999. [101075]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 2 December 1999]: Official Overseas Trade Statistics show that UK imports of turkey carcase meat, offal and meat and offal preparations from France during 1996–98 and January to August 1999 were as shown in the table.
Tonnes Turkey imports from France 1996 1997 1998 11999 Carcase meat (whole birds and cuts) 27,370 25,453 19,175 7,766 Meat and offal preparations 384 747 746 407 Offal 161 389 196 120 Total 27,915 26,588 20,117 8,293 1 January-August It is not possible to make an accurate forecast of 1999 imports, since the September to December period accounts for a major, but not constant, proportion of annual imports (over 60 per cent. in 1998). However,
352W
§ Ms QuinThe latest figures where available, for intervention stocks for each member state, are broken down as follows (figures quoted in tonnes unless otherwise stated):
overall turkey imports from France during January to August 1999 were nearly 5 per cent. higher than for the same period in 1998.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are made on the welfare standards of turkeys imported from France. [101077]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 2 December 1999]: It is for the French authorities to check the welfare standards under which turkeys are reared in France against any relevant standards set by French law. The welfare of turkeys and all animals during transport is protected by the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EEC. This Directive is implemented in Great Britain by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 and enforced by local authorities.