HC Deb 17 October 1969 vol 788 cc135-6W
Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions are currently operating or proposed on imports of meat from the Argentine provinces of Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego; and whether distinctions are observed between imports from these provinces and from the remainder of the Argentine and from Brazil and Uruguay.

Mr. John Mackie

Since 1st October, 1969, any supplies of unprocessed meat from the Argentine Province of Santa Cruz and Territory of Tierra del Fuego, like those from the remainder of the Argentine and from Brazil have been restricted to boneless beef produced under the revised veterinary conditions which my right hon. Friend announced on 22nd October, 1968. Processed meat can be imported from any of these sources. No imports of processed or unprocessed meat have been permitted from Uruguay since 14th June, 1969.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of imports of boned meat from South America contained lymph glands; and what is the expected trend in imports of boned meat from this market with and without lymph glands, respectively.

Mr. John Mackie

No meat can be imported from South America without lymph glands because my right hon. Friend has not extended recognition of any South American Official Certificate, under the Imported Food Regulations, to permit this.