§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what safeguards exist to ensure that United Kingdom consumers are protected against the use of sub-standard fat substitutes in lard exported to the United Kingdom from Common Market States.
§ Sir K. JosephI have been asked to reply.
Safeguards lie in the general provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955 and in the Imported Food Regulations 1968.
Under Part 2 of the regulations it is an offence to import food which is unfit for human consumption or is unsound or unwholesome. Under Part 3, lard, i.e. rendered pig fat, cannot be imported without an official certificate from the country of origin which is recognised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as guaranteeing that the product has been prepared in accordance with satisfactory standards.