§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) which countries exported gelatine to the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and what quantity of gelatine each of those countries exported; [117007]
561W(2) from which countries gelatine (a) used and (b) sold in food outlets operated by his Ministry (i) as part of a food product and (ii) as a separate ingredient is imported. [117024]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 3 April 2000]: UK imports of gelatine in 1995–99 (tonnes) were as follows:
Country 19951 19961 19971 1998 19992 France — — — 2,605 3,886 Belgium-Luxembourg — — — 2,216 1,737 Sweden — — — 1,617 1,570 Brazil — — — 1,454 1,602 Germany — — — 1,227 1,538 USA — — — 1,207 1,529 China — — — 1,001 681 Netherlands — — — 875 705 Italy — — — 679 424 India — — — 491 604 South Korea — — — 361 396 Colombia — — — 344 307 Spain — — — 514 113 Irish Republic — — — 218 68 Switzerland — — — 102 169 Taiwan — — — 91 86 Argentina — — — 66 103 Others — — — 176 253 Grand total 14,753 16,405 14,997 15,242 15,773 1 Import data is not available at country level prior to 1998 2 Provisional Source:
HM Customs and Excise
As for foodstuffs, gelatine is used as an ingredient in a very wide range of foodstuffs and it would not be possible to identify separately from which countries such foodstuffs are imported.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he last met representatives of the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe to discuss the safety of gelatine(a) as part of a food product and (b) a separate ingredient imported into the United Kingdom; [117005]
(2) when he last met representatives of the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe; and what was discussed. [117004]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 3 April 2000]: I have held no discussions with the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe. My officials are however in regular contact with UK gelatine manufacturers.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recent discussions(a) he and (b) his Department has had with (i) the European Commission, (ii) the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (iii) the French Government, (iv) the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee and (v) the World Health Organisation concerning the safety of gelatine (1) as part of a food product and (2) as a separate ingredient imported in to the United Kingdom. [117006]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 3 April 2000]: My Department has held discussions with officials of the European Commission and the French Government on various aspects of the safety of gelatine. Discussions with the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the
562WSecretary of State for Health. The role of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) is to give independent, scientific advice to Ministers on all aspects of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. SEAC last advised on the safety of gelatine in 1997.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much gelatine was produced in the United Kingdom in the last five years. [117008]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The only readily available information is that published by the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe (GME). The GME estimates that in 1998 the United Kingdom produced 10,000 tonnes of gelatine for all purposes for edible, pharmaceutical, photographic and technical uses. The sources are listed by the GME as pigskin, hide, bone and other raw materials. A breakdown by country of figures for earlier years is not available.