§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are currently carried out on beef products imported from South and North America to establish if they contain hormone growth promoters; and if he will make a statement. [105653]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 19 January 2000]: Samples from every consignment of beef from the USA must be examined for residues of certain xenobiotic hormones, natural hormones and for stilbenes.
More generally, all meat imported into the EU must originate from approved third countries. Responsibility for approving third countries rests with the European Commission, who must take account of information on matters which include legislation on the use, authorisation, distribution and marketing of substances which might be administered to livestock. Inclusion and retention on the list of approved countries is subject to the submission of acceptable monitoring plans for residues, including hormonal growth promoters, in meat, which provide guarantees at least equivalent to those provided by EU member states.