HC Deb 16 November 2001 vol 374 cc916-7W
Norman Baker

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many, and what percentage of flights arriving at(a) Heathrow,(b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted and (d) other airports in the UK were checked, in the latest year for which figures are available, for the presence of food intended for illegal importation; and of those flights checked, on how many occasions such food was found. [15192]

Mr. Boateng

[holding answer 15 November 2001]: The lead responsibility for controls on imported food lies with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and agencies acting on its behalf. Customs has provided support to these agencies and participated in a number of joint exercises at airports to address the risk of illegal meat imports. Application of normal Customs controls to incoming flights is based on assessment of a range of risks and no figures exist of how many flights were checked for the purpose of detecting illegal importation. Where illegal food is found during Customs examination appropriate action is taken. Seizures in the year 1 April 2000–31 March 2001 were:

  • Heathrow: 217
  • Gatwick: 73
  • Stansted: 5
  • Other airports: 94

This does not include seizures made in joint exercises with the lead enforcement agencies where they take the seizure action.