§ Matthew GreenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent changes have been made to the Port Inspection System to combat the illegal import of meat. [116218]
§ John HealeyFrom 11 April Customs took over responsibility for anti-smuggling controls at the frontier for meat and animal products arriving directly from third countries. This implements one of the recommendations of a Cabinet Office Office Study, whose conclusions were announced in the House of Commons by Margaret Beckett in November 2002, into the organisation of controls on products of animal origin, fish, plants and forestry products commissioned following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001.
The Government have provided £25 million for the years 2003–06 to tackle illegal imports of meat, other animal products, plants and plant products, and foodstuffs. From the £6 million allocated for 2003–04 Customs will receive £4 million. This will be used by Customs to help fund:
Four new mobile anti-smuggling teams;An expansion of the detector dog programme from the existing two dogs transferred to Customs from Defra, to six;Extra intelligence activity;A publicity campaign at ports and airports in the UK and overseas.Responsibility for veterinary and health checks on products of animal origin (or animals) at designated Border Inspection Posts and for illicit products detected inland remains the responsibility of local authorities, Defra and the Devolved Administrations.