§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to their reply to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee's seventh report on illegal meat imports published on 24 October 2002, whether the risk assessment promised for the autumn has been published and, if so, when; whether the prohibition of personal imports of meat and meat products extends to the diplomatic community; and when the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs intend to publish the action plan for 2003–04. [HL1641]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)We had hoped to deliver the results of the risk assessment on illegal meat imports in the autumn. However, it is an innovative piece of work. The project is a complex task that has required the gathering and modelling of a vast quantity of information, which has taken longer than anticipated to complete. The report is therefore currently undergoing final quality assurance arid peer review, prior to publication in the next few weeks.
The European Community rules on the personal importation of meat and meat products do extend to the diplomatic community. As the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Optional Protocols of 18 April 1961 states: "Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state."
39WAWe are working towards the preparation of a revised and updated action plan for 2003–04. It will take account of progress to date, lessons learned, improved intelligence, the results of our risk assessment, and the changes in responsibilities for detection and deterrence. We are aiming to publish in March