HC Deb 17 July 1997 vol 298 c271W
22. Mr. Gray

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the import of sheepmeat and goatmeat form countries where there is no requirement for the removal of specified offals in ovines. [7299]

Mr. Rooker

No. The specified materials of sheep and goats that are currently prohibited from sale for human consumption in the UK are the heads, excluding the tongue, unless from Australia or New Zealand.

Following advice form the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee my right hon. Friend announced on 5 June proposals for legislation to extend the list of specified materials to include the spleen of all animals and the spinal cord of animals over 12 months of age. These additional measures would apply to animals slaughtered in the UK and to sheepmeat and goatmeat imported into the UK, other than from New Zealand and Australia.