§ The Duke of Montroseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 24 April (WA 213), what tonnage of the total meat purchased abroad by 3663 as the meat supply contractor for the Ministry of Defence was sourced in the months preceding 20 February 2001 from (a) South Africa (b) Argentina; and [HL1904]
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 24 April (WA 213), what mechanisms 3663 uses to determine whether—(a) meat bought under the label "South African" does not come from Swaziland; (b) meat bought from the Argentine does not come from the provinces recognised as being infected with foot and mouth disease; and (c) meat bought from other non-European Union countries with a foot and mouth outbreak has a sufficiently rigorous system of labelling to show that it does not come from infected areas. [HL1905]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanIn the past year 3663 has sourced no meat from either (a) South Africa or (b) Argentina.
Meat from other non-European Union countries is subjected to export controls by those countries to ensure that only meat from foot and mouth disease free areas is exported. The process is further controlled by the European Union Veterinary Inspectorate to ensure that all meat complies with the relevant import legislation.