§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has made representations concerning the non-compliance of Brazil with EU residue testing and veterinary certification requirements. [101571]
§ Mr. MorleyFollowing the detection of nitrofurans in poultry meat imported from Brazil, the EU has introduced legislation requiring all consignments of poultry meat from Brazil to be tested to ensure that the products concerned do not present a hazard to human health. No poultry meat from Brazil is permitted to enter the community unless the results of these checks are favourable. Any poultry meat that tests positive for nitrofurans or their metabolites will be destroyed.
The UK has implemented the provisions of this decision. The European Commission is engaged in discussions with the Brazilian authorities and my Department is monitoring the situation.
All meat imported into the UK from third countries must enter at designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) where it is subject to veterinary inspections. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and at least 20 per cent. of consignments undergo physical checks. These ensure import conditions are met and that the products remain in a satisfactory condition during transport.
373WIf during the documentary check, a problem is found with the accompanying veterinary certification, appropriate action will be taken.
§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received concerning the import into the UK of whole turkeys from Brazil at below production cost. [101573]
§ Mr. MorleyMy colleagues and I, and the Department, have received two letters on this subject, and the broader question of imports of poultry meat from third countries has been discussed with several stakeholders in recent weeks.