§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland of 4 July, Official Report, column 676, what further consideration he has given to the imposition of additional restrictions on the importation of pigmeat products in the light of recent veterinary advice he has received and representations made by farmers' organisations; what assessment he has made of the threat posed to United Kingdom pigs by African swine fever; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerIn my reply of 4 July to the hon. Member at column676 I informed him of the initiatives I had taken with the European Commission. Discussions are being pursued in Brussels at official level.
Specific provisions have been included in Community directives to provide safeguards against the spread of African swine fever through intra-Community trade. This disease is no longer present in the Community, except in Spain, Portugal and Sardinia.