§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to tighten controls on the importation of meat products. [7872]
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§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 15 October 2001]My Department is co-ordinating action across Government to improve our ability to detect and prevent illegal imports. Improved publicity for travellers has been introduced. Posters have been placed at main airports and information is being provided by the travel industry and FCO posts abroad. National legislation has been amended to make it easier for local authorities to act when illegally imported meat is found and the Food Standards Agency are encouraging local authorities to ensure that checks for illegal imports are part of their routine inspections of food premises. An improved system of sharing and analysing of information has been introduced to enable enforcement bodies to target action more effectively. We are also looking at other ways in which enforcement of import controls may be improved.