§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the role of her Department in checks on illegal meat imports at coastal ports in the last two years. [44212]
§ Margaret BeckettThe responsibility for sea ports lies with the local/port-health authority and not with DEFRA. Although we do have a presence in most ports and offer advice and support to the local authorities, it is their function to quality assure legitimate trade and to identify illegal imports.
I am chairing a high level forum on Thursday 21 March 2002 involving all stakeholders, to consider the next steps for intensifying our efforts and to agree further priorities and action. A number of other Government Departments and agencies plus the enforcement bodies will be participating.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 12 March, ref. 38842, on which dates members of the State Veterinary Service were involved in Joint exercises at Heathrow. [44230]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 18 March 2002]: Since April 2001, members of the State Veterinary Service have been involved in nine joint exercises at Heathrow. Dates include the 8, 15 and 29 April, 24 June, 30 October, 9 November 2001 and 12, 14 and 17 February 2002.