§ Mr. McKelveyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if imported beef is subject to the same level of tests and controls as Scottish produced beef. [24243]
§ Mrs. BrowningUnder European law, imports of beef from third countries and other member states are subject to harmonised animal and public health rules designed to protect against a wide range of potential health hazards.
So far as BSE controls are concerned, the Beef (Emergency Control) Order 1996, as amended, prohibits the sale for human consumption of all meat derived from 134W bovines which, at the time of slaughter, were more than 30 months old. This measure applies to all bovines slaughtered after the commencement of the order, whether in the United Kingdom or overseas, other than those slaughtered in third countries listed in the schedule to the No. 2 amendment order where the Government are satisfied we can import beef. This exemption does not include any countries where there have been cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
The controls applying to Scottish produced beef under the Specified Bovine Material Order 1996 do not however, apply to imported beef from third countries or other member states, although a number of countries with BSE have introduced controls requiring the removal of specified bovine offals. We are keeping the position under review.