HC Deb 20 October 2003 vol 411 cc401-2W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the role of her Department in preventing the importation of agricultural produce which has been subjected to illegal chemicals during its production. [131903]

Miss Melanie Johnson

I have been asked to reply.

The role of the Food Standard Agency (FSA) regarding importation of agricultural produce includes ensuring necessary action is taken to protect public health where the use of illegal pesticides or veterinary medicines is detected. The FSA receives information on these from the European Commission and from surveillance carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The FSA can also carry out its own surveillance where there are concerns for public health. The FSA and local authorities have regulatory powers to prevent food that poses a threat to human health from entering the food chain or to withdraw it from sale.

All food products of animal origin being imported to the United Kingdom from non-European Union countries are subject to documentary and identity checks at designated border inspection posts by an official veterinary surgeon. A percentage of consignments are subjected to a physical check, which may include laboratory tests for residues from illegal chemicals. These controls have been enhanced on certain produce from countries with known chemical residue problems. Products of non-animal origin are subject to routine inspection at ports of entry and may be examined, sampled and detained.

Products of animal origin from other EU member states must have been produced in accordance with harmonised EU rules for hygienic production. Such products are in free circulation in the EU as part of the EU single market, but are subject to inspection inland as part of routine enforcement and surveillance activities.

Given recent concerns over import controls, the FSA is taking forward a range of measures to improve the co-ordination and delivery of local authority inspection of imported foodstuffs and products of animal origin at ports and inland.