§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his officials first learned of the contamination of Belgian food products. [88628]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 28 June 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I gave on 8 June 1999, Official Report, columns 480–81.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from whom information about the contamination of Belgian food products was first received by his officials. [88630]
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§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 28 June 1999]: Officials first received information about the contamination of Belgian food products from industry sources who alerted us to articles in the Belgian press.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he first learned of the contamination of Belgian food products. [88629]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 28 June 1999]: I was informed of this contamination incident on 30 May. However, my hon. Friend the Minister of State with direct responsibility for food safety was made aware on the afternoon of Friday 28 May.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has made to the European Commission about the Belgian Government's handling of the contamination of Belgian food products; [88632]
(2) what representations he has made to the Belgian Government about their handling of the contamination of Belgian food products. [88631]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 28 June 1999]: Our views have been expressed fully at meetings of the Standing Veterinary Committee and other meetings chaired by the Commission. In addition, officials have raised our concerns directly with the Commission.
Belgian officials were present at these meetings and are fully aware of our views.